Pattaya: The 2019 Honda LPGA Thailand is set for an exciting finish as several players are in contention for the title on the final day of the US$1.6 million tournament today.
South Korea's Amy Yang and Australian Minjee Lee are joint leaders on 201 going into the final round at Siam Country Club's Old Course.
Yang shot a second successive six-under-par 66 while Lee made a 67 in the third round of the 13th edition of Thailand's premier women's golf tournament.
Overnight leader Jenny Shin of South Korea hit a 70 to stay one stroke behind the leading duo.
Nelly Korda, who won last week's Women's Australian Open, and fellow American Austin Ernst and Ji Eun-Hee, another South Korean, are on 204.
Perth-born Lee made six birdies against a lone bogey in her third round which included a stunning 30-foot downhill putt for birdie on the final hole.
"It was really hot out there, probably a little more than yesterday, but the play was moving along so it was okay," said Lee, ranked seventh in the world.
"I feel I played really solid. During a seven-week break, I worked on my technique and tried to get my swing a little faster."
Lee turned professional in 2014 and represented Australia at the 2016 Olympics.
She finished 2018 ranked second on the LPGA money list and second on the scoring average -- behind world No.1 Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand in both categories.
Ariya Jutanugarn plays at Siam Country Club yesterday.
The Honda LPGA Thailand is surely one of Yang's favourite tournaments as she has been crowned champion in Pattaya twice in 2015 and 2017.
If she is successful today, she will become the first player to claim a hat-trick of wins here.
"I had a good day and I hit a lot of solid shots and made a lot of good putts. I'm a little bit nervous to be in the lead and I might get nervous out there tomorrow, but I'm just going to be patient and do my best,'' she said.
The world No.29 South Korean had a bogey-free round yesterday featuring six birdies.
Ariya and her sister Moriya were the best scorers among eight Thais after three rounds.
Both were tied for 13th place on 208.
Ariya, 23, had five birdies and one bogey in yesterday's round.
"I played well on the first nine and putted well too. But on the back nine I was not so good and missed some putts," Ariya said.
"I was in the same group today as [China's] Muni He and she had a big crowd following her. All the attention was on her. That was good for me.
"I need to practise my putting and try to play better tomorrow."
China's He, a popular player with both the fans and media, was busy signing autographs for fans after her round.
"I had another eagle today. I hit an amazing approach shot and the crowd let me know it finished close. I just walked up and tapped it in," she said.
He finished her third round with a 71 for a total of 212 to stay joint 26th.
"I'm really happy to come back to Thailand and try to redeem myself from last year. Hopefully tomorrow I can get a few more birdies and move up the leaderboard a little bit," the Chinese said.
Shin thrilled the fans at the 18th hole yesterday when she chipped in from about 150 yards, drawing a huge cheer as the ball bounced twice before disappearing into the hole.
Shin had an eagle and two birdies to end the day in third place.
Korda set the course alight with seven birdies and a bogey to finish in joint fourth.