Minjee Lee is close enough if good enough after making another move during the third round of the mega-money US Women’s Open in Wisconsin.
As fellow Australian Hannah Green fell off the pace, Lee carved out a one-under-par 71 at the ever-testing Erin Hills Golf Club to pull within four shots of Swedish leader Maja Stark.
Lee was only two back on the back nine before a bogey on the par-4 15th left the dual major winner and 2022 Open champion in a tie for seventh at three under heading into Monday morning’s (AEST) final round.
Stark’s third-round 70 earned her a one-stroke buffer over young Spanish sensation Julia Lopez Ramiro, a former world amateur number one who fired a 68 to surge to six under.
Chasing a second straight major after winning last month’s Chevron Championship, Mao Saigo let a three-shot halfway lead slip with three consecutive bogeys on the fourth, fifth and sixth holes.
The Japanese sensation steadied and looked set to take a least a share of the lead into the final round until dropping two shots over the last two holes.
Saigo is tied for third with compatriots Rio Takeda (70) and Hinako Shibuno (72), with American world number one Nelly Korda (73) one shot further back in solo sixth.
After starting the day level with Lee at two under, Green posted a Saturday 73 to drop to one under and a share of 13th, six shots behind Stark.
AAP
