American golf star Stacy Lewis is close to making a big donation to hurricane relief in her hometown, holding a three-stroke lead going into the final round of the LPGA Tour's Portland Classic.
From the Houston area, Lewis has pledged to give her earnings - first place is worth $US195,000 - to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts there.
The 11-time LPGA Tour champion also is trying to win for the first time since June 2014.
"You try not to think about the finish line and what could happen tomorrow, but it would definitely be up there with a major," said Lewis, a two-time major champion.
"It would be probably one of my most special wins, just to be able to do this for the people in Texas and do it, too, when everybody is watching.
"I kind of put all the eyeballs on me and put some pressure on myself, so it's nice to kind of see myself performing, too."
Tied for the second-round lead with two-time defending champion Brooke Henderson and In Gee Chun, Lewis had eight birdies in a seven-under 65 to reach 17 under at tree-lined Columbia Edgewater in Portland.
Moriya Jutanugarn was second after a 66. Chun was another stroke back after a 69. Henderson had a 74 to drop into a tie for 13th at eight under.
Su Oh was the leading Australian, tied 32nd at five under after a 68, with Katherine Kirk (70) and Sarah Jane Smith (73) two shots behind her.
Ai Miyazato also was eight under after a 72 in her final start in the United States. The Japanese star plans to retire after The Evian Championship in two weeks in France.
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