Australia's leading female golfer Minjee Lee is closing in on her second LPGA Tour victory of the year after another constructing another birdie blitz at the Japan Classic.
The world No.5 racked up eight birdies, including four on the Seta Golf Club's last six holes on Saturday to head into the final round with a three-stroke lead at 13-under over local favourite Sakura Koiwai.
Lee, who won the Volvik Championship in May, carded her second bogey-free round to maintain her form following a last-start runner-up finish at the Swinging Skirts.
Her eight-under 64 was a three-stroke improvement on her opening effort in the 54-hole tournament.
"I don't know, it seems like this year I've been holing more putts and I think it probably comes with confidence on the greens," she said.
Lee has already earned more than $US1.5 million in prize money, thanks to 10 top-five finishes.
If Lee maintains her lead she will edge closer to Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn in the season-long points competition, the Race to CME Globe.
The Western Australian is currently second behind Jutanugarn, who has won three tournaments.
But Lee the 22-year-old is close enough to overhaul Jutanugarm and pocket the $US1 million bonus should she play well in the tour championship in Florida later this month.
Koiwai was also impressive before signing for a 66 that contained just one blemish.
Her compatriot Nasa Hataoka shot a 69 to be tied for third with South Korea's Jiyai Shin.
Overnight leader and Korean world No.3 So Yeon Ryu struggled with her game and shot a 73 that included three bogeys and a pair of birdies.
The LPGA stop in Japan is the fourth of five consecutive tournaments across Asia.
