by The Australian Minjee Lee opened a lead of four shots on the “Brucal” PGA championship for ladies with a third round 69 when Knachten Jeeno Thitikul staggered in Frisco, Texas.
Lee was three shots behind Thitikul at the start of day three, but produced an impressive bogey-free round, which included three Birdies, to move to six as windy circumstances again on the Fields Ranch East Course.
Thailand’s Thitikul, who pursued her first victory in a major, led after the first two days of the tournament, but shot a four-over 76, including two birdies and six bogeys, and stands on two under par.
Charley Hull from England shot the lowest score of the second round with a 69 and followed it with a 73 while she crosses the last day on four.
There have only been five rounds in the 60s at the tournament and Lee carded with 69s on days one and three.
“I just try to stay patient,” said two -time big winner Lee. “You can’t lead yourself, especially in these circumstances.
“It is only getting harder and more difficult with I think that pressure on a large championship, and the course also requires so much of you.”
Lee’s previous big wins opened the Evian Championship 2021 and 2022 US Women’s.
She added: “I know what is needed to win and I just know what to feel and what to expect now that I have two under my belt.
“I just think that the experience I had will really help to get over the line.”
Lee and Thitikul are the only players who are under par for the third of the five LPGA -Majors of this year.
The American Lexi Thompson stands on one 75 who started with a triple Bogey and Bogey, while fellow countryman Nelly Korda (72) and Leona Magire of Ireland (72) are a shot further back.
“Absolutely proud of how I stayed strong,” said Thompson. “It was a bit of a nightmare from a start, but I knew it was on the day that it would be very difficult to play.
“I don’t really know what happened on my first hole, but [I’m] Glad I got it out of the way and stayed positive there and just made pars and a few birdies here and there. “
World number one Korda added: “It is brutal there when it comes to the arrangement of the golf course, wind conditions, everything. I am very happy with even par.
“You are just happy to get 18 years a day like this.”
