Rookie Mao Saigo of Japan shot her second consecutive 65 to take the lead at the Buick LPGA Shanghai, setting a 54-hole tournament record.
An eagle at No. 17 followed five birdies on her bogey-free round, sending her to an 18-under 198 after three rounds in China and into a one-stroke lead at Qizhong Garden Golf Club.
Trailing her at 17-under is Ruoning Yin, who fired the day’s best round of 63. She also eagled the par-5 No. 17 to cap the round.
Coming down the stretch, Saigo and home-country favorite Yin dazzled with a show of birdies. Saigo, who trailed by a stroke to enter play Saturday, and Yin were tied at 15-under with just four holes to go.
The 23-year-old Saigo added a birdie at No. 15 to go with her eagle two holes later to gain the one-shot lead.
Saigo has six top-10 finishes on the season and is striving for her first career victory.
“I played a good round, was very relaxed and played very freely and had a great result,” Saigo said. “I am very happy with that.”
Yin, 22, has three career wins and one on the season. With a win, she’d become the first Chinese woman to capture the Shanghai tournament.
“I think tomorrow I’m playing as a chaser, and I think just I have a little goal for myself every day, and I think if I’m able to complete my goal I’m happy about whatever the result is,” Yin said about being paired with Saigo in the final round Sunday.
Sei Young Kim of South Korea, who led after each of the first two rounds, finished with a 69 and is three shots back. After shooting a 62 on Thursday that included nine birdies, she has just seven over the past two rounds.
In fourth place and five strokes off the leader is Yealimi Noh, who finished with a 68 on her bogey-free round. She’s ahead of a pack of six players tied for fifth at 205, seven shots off the pace.
Defending champion Angel Yin (73) is tied for 19th.
On Sunday, Saigo will be opposing Yin as well as the crowd following her.
“I’m excited to play tomorrow and will do my best to try and win the tournament,” she said. “I really just am looking to concentrate on playing my best and doing my best out there.”
