Rio 2016: Ko 'proud' of display in tough conditions

Lydia Ko was thoroughly pleased with her performance in the women's golf competition at Rio 2016 on Friday after battling some tricky conditions to move firmly into contention.

World number one Ko carded a six-under 65 and shares second with Gerina Piller (68) heading into the final round, two behind leader Inbee Park (70).

A bogey-free round for Ko included a hole-in-one on the eighth, just moments after Lin Xiyu made history at the same hole with the first ace in the women's Olympic competition.

"I take my 65 and run home with it," Ko said. "A bogey-free round for any round is great.

"It was really tough out there with the wind being pretty strong. For me to shoot six under in these conditions, I am proud of that.

"I knew I needed to shoot a very low number to get myself back into contention. It gives me a little bit of belief going into tomorrow [Saturday]."

Of her hole-in-one, Ko said: "To make my first hole-in-one and it to be at the Olympics is a very cool feeling.

"It is something I will never forget. I haven't been the luckiest person with hole-in-ones but for me to do it here this week is amazing."

Park mixed six birdies with five bogeys on Friday and took heart from her efforts on the greens.

"My putting was really good today, I just made a lot of mistakes off the tee and ball striking," the South Korean said.

"It was a struggle out there but I feel like I hung in there really nicely and I am very happy that I gave myself a chance tomorrow.

"The wind picked up; it was very, very windy. It was hard to judge the distance to the holes. And on the greens it was hard to concentrate with the ball oscillating.

"It is going to be tough finishing tomorrow, I think they are expecting bad weather so it is going to be maybe another one like today."

Organisers duly confirmed a two-tee start would be utilised for round four, in a bid to get the tournament finished before the worst of the weather arrives.