Lydia Ko has fallen off the pace heading into the final round of the Women's British Open at Royal Troon in Scotland.
During Sunday's (NZ time) third round, Ko shot a one-over-par 72 round, to sit two-over for the tournament in a three-way tie for seventh.
On another day with blustery conditions, Ko's round consisted of three birdies, three bogeys and one double-bogey on the 10th hole.
The 23-year-old trails leader Sophia Popov by six shots heading into the final round, after the German equalled the lowest round of the week with a four-under 67 with a bogey-free round.
Popov holds a three-shot lead over Aussie Minjee Lee and Thailand's Jasmine Suwannapura, who are in a tie for second and are the only other two players under par for the tournament.
Overnight leader Daniela Holmqvist, the only player under par after a day of strong winds during the second round, fell out of contention after a six-over 77.
The weather is expected to play its role again during the final round, and Ko expects things to be very different compared to the opening three rounds.
"This is a tricky course and with the wind, it's meant to be blowing in a different direction tomorrow so that means the whole course will be very different," she said.
"There is going to be lots of pressure but hopefully I can focus on my game. All I can do is get the best score I can."
Ko hasn't won a tournament since April 2018, but she's starting to discover the form which saw her once ranked top of women's golf.
Two weeks ago she finished tied for second at the Marathon Classic in Ohio, but did hold a five-shot lead with six holes to play, while last week she finished in a tie for 12th at the Scottish Open.
