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Briton Charley Hull closes in on maiden LPGA Tour title

Charley Hull leads in Florida after a 66
Image: Charley Hull leads in Florida after a 66

Charley Hull will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship after posting a third day 66 in Florida.

The 20-year-old from Kettering, who is chasing her first win on the LPGA Tour, ran in six birdies in a bogey-free round.

However, in a packed leaderboard at Tiburon in Naples, just three strokes separates the leading 11 players.

The young Briton hit 16 greens in regulation, as she battled back from yesterday's topsy-turvy round that included a double-bogey seven at the fifth hole.

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Hull admitted: "Just kind of kept in the zone. I felt like I hit it pretty decent. I holed a few putts and got up and down when I needed to.

"It was scorable out there. I don't understand why everyone has dropped back."

Hull drives at 17 during round three of the CME Group Tour Championship
Image: Hull drives at 17 during round three of the CME Group Tour Championship

Hull's closest challengers are American Brittany Lincicome and Korean So Yeon Ryu. Lincicome made eight birdies in her six-under 66, while Ryu hit all 14 fairways in a 69.

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Overnight leader Lydia Ko struggled to follow Friday's superb 62, as she slipped to a 73 but remains in contention just two strokes off the pace.

Lydia Ko remains in contention despite struggling on day three
Image: Lydia Ko remains in contention despite struggling on day three

The New Zealander hit just 11 greens in regulation as she offset four bogies with three birdies.

Teenager Ko added: "It's not far off. I had plenty of quality shots. The feel is still there. Hopefully a couple balls on the range and I'll be able to have that feeling back.

"No matter what position I'm in, I'm the chaser. I think that almost puts less pressure on me, where I'm not thinking about where I am exactly.

"I'm trying to make as many birdies as I can and give myself those opportunities. It's going to be a very interesting Sunday."

Leaderboard (Thru 54 Holes)

-13: Charley Hull (Eng) 66

-12: Brittany Lincicome (US) 66

-12: Ryu So-Yeon (Kor) 69

-11: Ariya Jutanugarn (Tha) 65

-11: Jennifer Song (US) 66

-11: Lizette Salas (US) 67

-11: Chun In-Gee (Kor) 68

-11: Lydia Ko (Nzl) 73

-10: Amy Yang (Kor) 66

-10: Mo Martin (US) 68

-10: Beatriz Recari (Esp) 70

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