Sunday 29 March 2015 15:28, UK
South Korea's Mirim Lee carded a six-under-par 66 to secure a one-shot lead ahead of the final round of the Kia Classic in southern California.
Lee began the third day tied with Morgan Pressel of America but conjured up five birdies on a brilliant back nine to reach 16-under for the tournament.
The 24-year-old is looking for her first title of 2015, having won twice in her rookie season on the LPGA tour last year.
American Alison Lee also shot a 66, making birdies on her final two holes to reach 15-under-par and sit alone in second place.
Her compatriot Cristie Kerr went round in 68, dropping a shot on the final hole to slip back to 13-under, and she shares third place with Japan’s Sakura Yokomine (67).
Four players sit at 12-under in the form of World No 1 Lydia Ko (67), major champions Paula Creamer (66) and Se Ri Pak (64), and America’s Jennifer Song (66).
New Zealand's Ko shot her 27th successive LPGA Tour round under par, which is two short of Annika Sorenstam's record, set in 2004.
An eagle at the par-four seventh along with five birdies had seen the 17-year-old surge up the leaderboard, before finding the water en route to a bogey at the par-four 16th and ending with a bogey at the last.
But, on a day of low scoring, five-time major champion Pak produced the best round of the day with her course record-tying eight-under.
Lexi Thompson shot a 65 to move to 11-under but overnight joint-leader Pressel could only manage a level par round of 72 and she is in a tie for 10th at 10-under.
Watch coverage of the LPGA Kia Classic's final round on Sky Sports 4 tonight from 11pm.
