Kiwi Lydia Ko remains within two strokes of the lead at the Ford Championship in Arizona, as she chases elusive entry to the LPGA Hall of Fame.
The world No.8 has carded a two-under-par 70 on the third day to sit at 13 under for the tournament and a 10-way share for sixth.
After the low scores of the previous day, strong winds made the Seville Country Club treacherous and Ko record 12 straight pars, before managing her first birdie at the par-four 13th. She had another at the par-four 16th, but gave back a stroke on the 17th, before taking it back again on the last.
Spaniard Carlota Ciganda, Korean Hyo Joo Kim and American Sarah Schmelzel share the lead at 15 under, with the Spaniard starting the day in 22nd and shooting a six-under 66 to make up ground. Swede Maja Stark and Japanese Yuka Saso share fourth a stroke back.
Ko sits in a pack with Koreans Mi Hyan Lee, Narin An and Sei Young Kim, Swede Frida Kinhult, Americans Lexi Thompson and Nelly Korda, Dane Emily Kristine Pedersen, German Caroline Masson and Spaniard Azahara Munoz.
Lee was the biggest mover of the round, carding eight-under 64, after barely making the cut for the weekend. Overnight leader Hannah Green went into freefall, carding three-over 75 and tumbling to 21st equal.
After winning the season-opening Tournament of Champions, Ko needs just one more tour victory to gain entry to the Hall of Fame. She finished runner-up at the Drive On Championship the following week and shared the lead into the final round at the Blue Bay LPGA earlier this month, before fading to fourth equal.
More to come
