pattaya: Jessica Korda maintained a four-shot lead heading into today's final round of the Honda LPGA Thailand while Moriya Jutanugarn remained in contention to win her elusive first LPGA Tour title.
The tall American, who broke the course record with a round of 62 on Friday, carded a four-under-par 68 yesterday to move to 20-under 196, which tied the 54-hole tournament scoring mark at the Siam Country Club Old Course.
Local star Moriya fired an impressive seven-under-par 65 to get to 16-under 200, one shot ahead of Australia's Minjee Lee (68), who made a late charge with birdies on 15, 16 and 17 to finish on 15-under 201.
Ariya Jutanugarn matched her sister's round of 65 to end day three on 14 under. American Lexi Thompson, the 2016 champion, eagled 18 to move up to fifth at 13 under.
Playing her first tournament since undergoing jaw surgery, Korda made up for an early bogey with five birdies on the back nine.
"I had no expectations, but my coach and I have worked together and it is still there," said Korda, who bogeyed the fifth after starting the round with four straight pars. "I was bit nervous on the front nine, but I knocked the rust off."
Korda didn't make her first birdie until sticking her approach on the 11th to three feet. After the birdie there, Korda found the range with the putter. She made a 10-foot par save on 12 and a 15-footer for birdie on 13. She then made birdies on both 14 and 15 to increase the lead.
"It's crazy how quick it is coming together," said Korda, who is 18 holes from her fifth LPGA Tour win and first since the 2015 LPGA Malaysia. "I'm really enjoying it and now have one more day."
The shot of the day belonged to Moriya who holed out for an eagle on the par-four 14th hole. The ball took one bounce and then rolled from four feet right into the cup. The eagle two moved her from 11 under to 13 under and solo second at the time.
Moriya struggled early with three bogeys over her first five holes, but finished strong with seven birdies and an eagle over her final 13 holes.
"I really enjoyed my game today, it's working out pretty good," said the Thai world No.21. "There is a lot of support and it feels nice having people cheering you on."
Ariya's round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-five 18th. The 22-year-old hit a stellar second shot onto the green before sinking a six-foot putt amid the roar from the crowd.
"It was great fun playing with Pornanong [Phatlum] and playing in front of all the Thai fans," said world No.8 Ariya. "I had a really good start and made some putts. I had so much fun."
The seven-time winner on the LPGA Tour had a roller-coaster round of five birdies and three bogeys up until the 14th. She finished strong with three straight birdies and an eagle.
The Jutanugarn sisters have a chance to become the first Thai players to win the US$1.6 million (approximately 51 million baht) tournament.
The younger Korda sister, Nelly, shone with a seven-under 65 to climb from tied 17th to joint sixth alongside South Korea's Amy yang (68) and American Michelle Wie (69) at 12 under.
The 19-year-old was flawless with eight birdies through 17 holes before an errant second drive on the par-five 18th led to a bogey.
"She's [Jessica] playing great golf and hopefully she keeps killing it," said the American when asked about her sister. "Hopefully I can make a run on Sunday."
Top-ranked Feng Shanshan of China shot her second successive 68 to share ninth place with Denmark's Nicole Broch Larsen, Americans Megan Khang and Brittany Lincicome, and Canada's Brooke M Henderson.
Play was suspended due to lightning at 4.31pm with the final group on the 18th tee. The players returned to the course 30 minutes later to finish their rounds.