Australia's Minjee Lee is well placed to deny prolific Kiwi contemporary Lydia Ko her first LPGA Tour title in almost two years.
Former world No.1 Ko moved into position to break her drought by shooting a five-under-par 67 on Saturday for a one-shot lead over Jessica Korda at the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship in San Francisco.
Lee is in outright third place, three shots behind fellow 21-year-old Ko, after carding a 68 with six birdies on a difficult Lake Merced course.
"It's challenging every aspect of my game and I'm sure it does all the other girls out here," Lee said. "I mean, it's cold, I think it's just playing tough. It's a great challenge."
Ko has two previous victories at Lake Merced among her 14 wins overall, but she hasn't won since July 2016 and has changed instructors twice since then, along with switching caddies and equipment.
The Kiwi hit 14 greens in regulation to match the low round of the day in cool and breezy conditions just outside San Francisco. Her three-day total of 11-under 205 was enough to overtake Korda, who shot 71.
"I love San Francisco and I'm a member here, so sometimes I get some friendly member bounces. But it brings back a lot of good memories for me," Ko said.
"Coming into the week I knew that no matter how I was going to play, I knew I was going to have a great time. The members here and all the fans have been super supportive."
