Defending champion Minjee Lee, the world No 6 from Australia, fired a five-under-par 67 to grab a three-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the Founders Cup.
Lee, seeking her ninth career LPGA Tour title, matched the day’s low round to stand on 12-under 204 after 54 holes at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey.
“I think I was pretty solid all day,” Lee said. “I made a lot of birdies on the front nine and then one eagle on the back and then I made pars coming in. I feel like I had a pretty good day.”
South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran, a 22-year-old LPGA rookie, shared second on nine-under 207 with American Angel Yin.
India’s Aditi Ashok, South African Ashleigh Buhai and South Korea’s third-ranked Ko Jin-young – a two-time Founders Cup winner – were on eight-under 208.
Buhai’s third-round 68 included six birdies and a double-bogey.
Lee was confident about her chances in Sunday’s final round but wary of when to be cautious and aggressive.
“I’m sure I’ll be nervous coming down the 1st hole but I think they’re good nerves,” Lee said.
“I feel pretty good about the golf course and how I’m hitting it so I’m just going to play my game, play aggressive when I can and smart when I have to, and stick to my processes and my game plan.
“I feel pretty good about where I’m at. Hopefully I can put up another good score.”
Lee, who won her first Major title at the 2021 Evian Championship, will defend her 2022 US Women’s Open title in July at Pebble Beach.
Lee said she hasn’t found defending her crown this week a large change from winning last year.
“It hasn’t really been that different,” she said. “I still have to put up a score and hit the same golf shots. At the end of the day you still have to play. It has been good.”
Lee made a bogey-birdie start but caught fire with a birdie at the par-three 6th hole and closed the front nine with back-to-back birdies at the par-three 8th and par-five 9th.
The 26-year-old from Perth added an eagle at the par-five 12th and parred in from there.
Ryu birdied the par-five 14th to pull within one of the lead but then stumbled back with bogeys at the par-three 15th and par-three 17th holes.
World No 45 Ryu, coming off a career-best showing with a share of sixth at Los Angeles, shot 70 while Yin fired a 68.
Yin, who lost a Major playoff to American Lilia Vu in last month’s Chevron Championship followed a bogey at the par-five 2nd with back-to-back birdies at the 3rd and 4th holes.
Yin, chasing her first LPGA Tour victory, added back-to-back birdies at the par-five 9th and par-four 10th and another at the par-five 12th.
Ashok fired a 71, stung by a double-bogey at the 16th, while Buhai shot 68 with six birdies but a double-bogey at the 3rd.
Ko, a two-time LPGA Player of the Year and twice a Major champion, shared the 36-hole lead but fell back with a 72 as she chases a 15th career LPGA title and second of the year after defending her Singapore crown in March.
Australia’s Sarah Kemp, who shared the 36-hole lead, fell seven adrift with a 75.
© Agence France-Presse
