Australian pair in the hunt at LPGA finale

Australians Sarah Jane Smith and Minjee Lee are within striking distance of the four co-leaders after three rounds of the LPGA Tour Championship.

Australian golfer Sarah Jane Smith

Sarah Jane Smith blasts her way out of a bunker during the Tour Championship in Naples, Florida. (AAP)

Australian duo Sarah Jane Smith and Minjee Lee remain in the hunt for victory at the LPGA Tour Championship heading into Sunday's final round.

Smith started the day second but made five bogeys in a two-over par round of 74 to be three shots off the pace, set by four co-leaders at 10 under, and tied 19th.

Minjee Lee is at six-under after a round of 70 while Katherine Kirk made seven birdies in her 67 to be at three under.

Michelle Wie is among the four-way share at the top of the leaderboard after Sung Hyun Park faltered on Saturday.

Wie, winless since the 2014 US Women's Open, carded a six-under 66 and was tied for the lead at Tiburon Golf Club with Kim Kaufman (64), Ariya Jutanugarn (67) and Suzann Pettersen (69).

"Just really feeling like my old self," Wie said.

"Really feeling comfortable out there and having fun, and that's why I play my best."

World No.2 Park started the third round with a three-shot lead but didn't make a birdie until the 13th hole and shot 75.

"I think that over the course of four days, there is always a day where I'm not quite in tip-top shape," Park said.

"I think that day might have been today.

Park needs to win the Tour Championship to become the first rookie since Nancy Lopez in 1978 to win LPGA player of the year. She would also win the $1 million bonus.

World No.4 Lexi Thompson (69) -- who leads the CME Race to the Globe -- is in a seven-way tie one shot behind the leaders, along with Park.

"I'm not going into tomorrow with any different attitude," Thompson said.

"Just going to go out there, free swing, commit to my targets, and try to do my best."

The final day is wide open with 31 players separated by just four shots.

That includes Shanshan Feng, in her debut at No. 1 in the world, and Brooke Henderson of Canada.

They have to win the Tour Championship to claim the CME Race to the Globe.


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Source: AAP


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