Brooke Henderson 6 shots back entering final round of Tournament of Champions

Defending champion Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., (71) was tied for seventh, six shots behind, while Lydia Ko moved closer to her first victory in 14 months heading into the final round of the LPGA Tour's season-opening Tournament of Champions on Saturday in Orlando, Fla.

The 26-year-old from New Zealand shoot a 4-under 68 to take a two-shot lead as she's seeking her 20th career victory and first since the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in 2022. A win would also leave Ko one victory short of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

On the heels of a flawless second-round 67, Ko went bogey-free for the second consecutive day at Lake Nona in chilly-for-Florida conditions with temperatures around 10 Celsius. It helps that she has played the course in nearly every type of weather.

Her closest pursuer is 19-year-old second-year pro Alexa Pano, who struggled at times from tee to green but exhibited a crisp short game to stay close to the lead in the elite field of LPGA winners from the past two years.

Hybrid straight to the hole