S. Koreans in golf contention determined to go after medal

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) — South Korean golfers Chun In-gee and Yang Hee-young find themselves in the thick of things after Friday’s third round at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic golf tournament.

And they won’t settle for anything less than a medal.

Chun and Yang are tied for fifth at five-under 208 at Olympic Golf Course. They’re six strokes behind the South Korean leader, Park In-bee, but only three behind Feng Shanshan of China, who owns the third best score.

Lydia Ko of New Zealand and Gerina Piller of the United States are tied for second at nine-under.

Chun signed a one-over 72 with two birdies and three bogeys. She has been wild all three days so far, but sounded confident after her third round that she could stage a late rally.

Chun In-gee of South Korea reacts to a bunker shot on the fifth hole during the third round of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic women’s golf tournament on Aug. 19, 2016.

When asked if she should play conservatively to try to get bronze, Chun said she won’t limit herself to a third-place finish.

“Though I made some mistakes in strong winds today, I am satisfied with my play overall,” said the world No. 8. “If I can stay confident, I think I can go low tomorrow.”

Some inclement weather is in forecast for Saturday, but Chun said it could work to her advantage.

“If I keep playing hard one hole at a time without giving myself any limit, then it will all add up to a good score,” she added.

Yang, too, has been on a roller coaster in Rio. She opened her tournament with a 73, and then shot a 65 on Thursday. In windy conditions, she scored a 70 on Friday, with four birdies and three bogeys.

She said she benefited from practicing hitting low shots to counter the wind.

“I came here to win a medal, and the goal is to leapfrog those ahead of me,” Yang said. “I will have to play more aggressively than I normally would.”

With Park leading the pack by two and Chun and Yang in the mix, a podium sweep by South Korea remains a strong possibility.

“It’d be great if we can win the gold, silver and bronze,” Yang said. “If we have bad weather tomorrow, I have to bide my time and convert opportunities when I get them.”

Yang Hee-young of South Korea watches her shot on the first hole during the third round of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic women’s golf tournament on Aug. 19, 2016.