World No.1 Lydia Ko has surged into the lead at the Women's PGA Championship in Washington with a steady third-round one-under 70 at Sahalee Country Club.
Chasing her third straight major, LPGA star Ko collected two birdies on the front nine before mixing two bogeys with another birdie on her run home in the second women's golf major of the year.
She began the day tied for third, one stroke behind overnight leaders Brooke Henderson and Mirim Lee, who both dropped down the leaderboard to a share of fourth after firing two-over 73 rounds.
Ko's three-round tally of 211 gives her a one-stroke lead over Americans Brittany Lincicome and Gerina Piller, who both shot even-par 70.
The 19-year-old Kiwi Ko said trying to keep the ball on the fairways had been difficult.
"With the rain overnight, it made the greens a little softer but it was still tough," she said.
"I think with the fairways, and with the rough being lush, those were the key things making the course really tough."
Ko said she'd be trying to maintain a relaxed approach on the final day, as she looked to add her third major after winning at Evian last year and at the ANA Inspiration in April.
"Don't worry about what everybody else does, just focus on that shot you need to hit and that's all I can do," she said.
Su Oh is the best-placed Australian in a tie for 10th after her round of 72 left her at one over for the tournament and one stroke better than compatriot Minjee Lee.
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