When the grey skies unloaded, there was nothing amateur about the way these golfers faced the worst together.

Fifteen-year-old Lydia Ko, the next big thing in the LPGA, found a shoulder to lean on — and an umbrella to share — with second-year tour player Danielle Kang.

Ko, the only amateur in the 2013 LPGA Lotte Championship field, shrugged off the elements with a 2-under 70 in Friday’s third round to move into a tie for 21st at 4 under heading into today’s final lap. Her friend Kang, in the same playing group by fortuitous draw, carded a 3-under 69 in a bogey-free round and is tied for 15th at 5 under.

One of the big questions around Ko Olina Golf Club this week: When will Ko turn pro? She’s not saying yet, but it’s clear the New Zealander is enjoying the ride while the pressure is minimal. She became the LPGA Tour’s youngest winner last year at the CN Canadian Women’s Open, and has taken low amateur honors in three of the past four majors, including the Kraft Nabisco Championship (T-25th overall) two weeks ago.

A strong follow-up finish today on the Ewa plain — nearly all of the tour’s top players are here — would further declare her ready for the rigors of pro life.

"It kind of builds my confidence. I’m not here for the money and stuff, so yeah, I’m going to just try my best and you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow," Ko said before signing balls for fans. "Hopefully I’ll be able to play good."

Evenwithall the talent in the world — including the ability to launch near-350-yard drives in the right wind, as she demonstrated Friday — it pays to have friends who’ve been there, done that.

It was the first time Ko got to play with Kang, of California, in an LPGA event, though they’ve played on the amateur circuit. Kang is the 2010 and ’11 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, a title Ko claimed in 2012. Kang was the event’s first back-to-back winner in 15 years; she turned pro at 18 in 2011 after two years at Pepperdine.

"Lydia’s like my little sister. It was a lot of fun. Very relaxed," Kang said. "She’s a very solid player. … She still takes it not so seriously, but she still knows what she’s doing. Very, very confident player."

Said Ko, "I’ve only really played with her in practice rounds and have dinner and stuff. She’s a real nice person to play with, funny. I enjoyed my time playing with her, and also Chella (Choi) too."

Ko ran into a spot of trouble on the par-5 fifth hole when she tried to lob her shot over a water hazard to get on in two, as Kang did. Ko’s shot landed on the fringe but dribbled back into the drink.

Oh yeah, Ko drove the ball an estimated 347 yards off the tee on that hole, and she still managed to par it. An unsuccessful chip shot and an errant putt led to two bogeys on the back nine, but that was the short list of her mistakes.

Kang, who showed off some impressive distance putting to shake off a tough Thursday round, promises to lend Ko an ear on tour should she need it. Rookies, like in other sports, can be pariahs until they’re established.

"For me, it was a little bit rough, I didn’t know anybody and Lizette Salas was a buddy and we’d always sit together, the rookies," Kang said. "It’s fun, but it’s easier this year because you know everyone, your surroundings, you know where the locker rooms are, you know where you’re at. So yeah, I think it will be smoother for Lydia … she already has a lot of people supporting her."

She turns 16 on Wednesday, but if she plans to turn pro during the week before that birthday, as Michelle Wie did, she hasn’t told her buddy.

"I don’t know when that will be," Kang said. "She’s only 15, 16 years old, so she’s got a lot ahead of her. She’s still in school. She’s just enjoying life. I just love seeing that. Not a lot of people kind of do that, even as the No. 1 amateur in the world. You still gotta enjoy it, and she’s just loving it."