Lydia Ko of Team New Zealand (obscured) walks over a bridge to the 18th green during Day Three of the Women's Individual Stroke. GETTY IMAGES

Anything can happen in the women's Olympic golf tournament that ends on Friday, in which the leader, Nelly Korda, has lost positions, while the leadership is marked by the tie between New Zealand's Lydia Ko and Switzerland's Morgane Metraux.

Morgane Metraux of Team Switzerland and Lydia Ko of Team New Zealand embrace . GETTY IMAGES
Morgane Metraux of Team Switzerland and Lydia Ko of Team New Zealand embrace . GETTY IMAGES


And it is not the only tie: after the latin day on Thursday, this Friday in the third position there is also a tie between the American Rose Zhang and the Japanese Miyu Yamashita.

Friday's four-under-par third round saw Ko start the day three strokes behind overnight leader Metraux, but she caught up with her playing partner by making six birdies to card a 68 and reach nine-under-par for the tournament.

Defending champion Nelly Korda briefly threatened to close in on the leaderboard but will start Saturday's fourth round at four under par. She is also tied with the Chinese pair of Lin Xiyu, who birdied the last three holes, and Yin Ruoning, as well as local favourite Celine Boutier.

Nelly Korda of Team United States and her caddie, Jason McDede line up a putt on the 18th green. GETTY IMAGES
Nelly Korda of Team United States and her caddie, Jason McDede line up a putt on the 18th green. GETTY IMAGES


Rising American star Rose Zhang and Japan's Miyu Yamashita are tied for third place, just two strokes behind the leading duo.

Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul is one stroke behind on six under par after a 69, one stroke ahead of Colombia's Mariajo Uribe, who was also leading the leaderboard midway through the back nine before going down.

Australia's Hannah Green, who was 10 strokes off the lead after the opening day, carded a 66 to put herself in medal contention on three under par, level with this year's PGA Championship winner Amy Yang.