Olympic women's golf welcomes China Day as Lin makes history, Feng moves to 4th

Two Chinese golfers, Lin Xiyu and Feng Shanshan, both shone on Olympic course in women's third round here on Friday.

World No. 58 Lin became the first woman golfer to have finished a hole-in-one shot at the Olympic Games as the event made its return after 116 years, while Feng, world No. 14, moved up to the 4th on leaderboard with 3-under-par 68.

Lin achieved the feat in the 8th hole. However, her up-and-down momentum went throughout the round as she just finished 3-above-par 74 with five bogeys and one double-bogey.

"I did not play very well in these days, and lost my control of the distance. Actually, I did not feel something special," said Lin.

"Standing in front of the 8th hole, I expected the chance to come, telling myself to hit the ball as close as possible to the hole. That shot was really fantastic," she added.

This was also the third hole-in-one shot in Olympic history as champion Justin Rose of Britain and Jaco van Zyl of South Africa made it in men's event in Rio.

"Before the Rio Olympics, I hope that more people can see Chinese golfers' play through my performance, but I could not realize this goal if I played just as last two days. Maybe people can see this hole-in-one shot on TV," said Lin.

Shortly later, world No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand also made a hole-in-one shot in the same hole with Lin, and led in round three with 6-under-par 65.

"I'm very happy about that," Lin referred to finishing hole-in-one with Lydia in the same hole.

2012 LPGA Championship winner Feng recorded a stable performance with four birdies and one bogey. Park In-Bee of South Korea maintained her leading position with 1-under-par 70, but Feng managed to cut the gap away from Park to three shots.

Lydia Ko and Gerina Piller of USA were tied second at two-under.

"Due to strong wind, maybe it's the most difficult day for me. Four birdies, only one bogey, I'm satisfied with my performance today.

"The wind got stronger and stronger, so it's becoming more difficult to concentrate on our putt," said Feng.

Feng was targeting at the first Olympic medal for Chinese golfers, but she emphasized more on enjoying the process than the result.

"I didn't set a clear target for myself at the Olympics. I should enjoy the game as what I did during the past three days," she said.

The fourth and final round of Olympic women's golf will be held on Saturday.

Source : XINHUA