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Last year’s runner-up Jeeno Thitikul shot an eight-under-par 64 on Saturday to take a three-point lead heading into the final round of the Maybank LPGA Championship in Malaysia.
The 21-year-old Thai topped the leaderboard with 16 under at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club along with Chinese Yin Ruoning and South Korean Ryu Hae-ran.
They were two shots behind the overnight leader, Swede Maja Stark.
Thitikul, second last year after losing in a nine-hole shootout to Frenchwoman Céline Boutier, made an eagle on the par-five third hole.
She followed it up with two consecutive birdies, before capping a bogey-free third round with three birdies in the final three holes.
“I just keep trying to make birdies, birdies, birdies because this course can give you a low score. So that’s all in my mind, trying to make the putts,” said Thitikul, who is looking for a fourth LPGA crown.
Yin is firmly in the mix for a fifth LPGA victory thanks to a bogey-free 66 that allowed her to make six birdies in a putting display.
“I think every part of my game is pretty spot on. I was just feeling it with my putting and I made a couple of decisive putts today which gives me a lot of confidence for tomorrow,” said the 22-year-old. years. old.
Ryu, who had been in the mix since the first round, climbed to the top after posting a bogey-free 67.
The 23-year-old made five birdies, including four on her front nine.
“Tomorrow I want to make some birdies in the last nine holes,” said the South Korean.
Defending champion Boutier was tied for fifth, four shots behind the leader.
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