Jessica Korda has made up seven strokes to catch Australia's Minjee Lee for a share of the lead going into the final round of the Blue Bay LPGA.
Lee shot a 73 at Lake Jian on Saturday, getting up-and-down for birdie on 18 to match the American at 11 under.
In hot and mostly calm conditions four days after Typhoon Sarika hit the Chinese resort, Korda had five birdies in a six-hole stretch and got up-and-down for another on the par-five 18th.
Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn made up even more ground to move into contention for her sixth victory of the season, hitting 65 to cut her deficit from eight to two shots.
Lee began the day six strokes ahead of Germany's Caroline Masson after shooting 65-67 the first two rounds.
"It wasn't that windy today so I guess you could be a bit more aggressive at the pins," the 20-year-old Australian said.
"I wasn't striking it that well so I think I just got by making up-and-down."
The second-ranked Jutanugarn had the best round of the day on the course with difficult-to-play valleys and plateaus on the large greens.
"This course, you have to be really patient," Jutanugarn said.
"I just be like waiting for birdies, not really rushing trying to make birdies. Just trying to have fun."
The 20-year-old Thai star leads the tour in victories and tops the player of the year points race.
Korda hit an eight-iron to six inches on the seventh to start the birdie spree.
"I actually thought it was going to go in," said Korda, who is set to defend the last of her four LPGA Tour titles next week in Malaysia.
Lee got on the wrong side of the ridges on 11 and 12, three-putting for bogeys - after Korda birdied both in the group ahead - to drop into a tie.
Masson (71) was 7 under, and Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum (69) was six under.
Michelle Wie (71) was tied for seventh at three under.
Brooke Henderson (70) was another stroke back. The 19-year-old Canadian birdied three of last five holes.
