Jutanugarn, Ko share 2-shot lead in LPGA Tour's LA tourney

LOS ANGELES - A player eager for her first win and a rookie top the leaderboard at the HUGEL-JTBC LA Open. Lurking two shots back is a Hall of Famer.

Winless Moriya Jutanugarn overcame a poor start and birdied the 18th for a hard-earned 1-under 70 to tie rookie Jin Young Ko at 9 under on Saturday at Wilshire Country Club.

Ko shot a 66 in her bid to become the year's first two-time winner on the LPGA Tour. She won the Women's Australian Open in February, her first victory as an official tour member after a successful run on the Korean LPGA circuit.

"I'm ready for win or top 10, so maybe tomorrow I will really focus on shot by shot," said Ko, who added an exclamation point to her golf bag for each of her wins on the KLPGA. "I won 11 times, so if I win tomorrow, maybe I change to 12. I need more, I need every time motivation."

Jutanugarn is trying to match younger sister Ariya as a tour champion. Seven-time winner Ariya was tied for 27th after a 72 in the third round.

Usually when one of the Thai sisters is in the lead, the other will watch when her round is finished.

"If she's not too lazy, she is probably going to come out," Moriya said about Ariya.