Lydia Ko stands on the brink of New Zealand women's golf history after taking the outright lead with a round to play at the $US2 million ($NZ2.46 million) Canadian Open.
The world top-ranked amateur from Auckland shot an even-par 72 in her third round at the Vancouver Golf Club on Sunday (NZT) to remain on eight-under and sit one shot clear of four chasing rivals.
If Ko can win, the 15-year-old would be the first New Zealander to taste success on the US LPGA tour.
Following successive rounds of 68, Ko encountered more difficult conditions in her third round.
Fellow-overnight leader Chella Choi of South Korea dropped a shot to be among the four-strong second-placed group. Compatriots Inbee Park and Jiyai Shin are in that group, along with American Stacy Lewis, who shot the best third round score of 66.
Ko began the day strongly with birdies at the first and sixth holes but bogeys on the seventh and ninth brought her back to all-square for the round.
It was similar on her back nine, where a birdie on the 10th hole was cancelled by a dropped shot on the par-four 18th.
Fresh from winning the US amateur title, Ko will take confidence into the final round of the tournament, although the massive prize-money pool won't be a motivation as her amateur status makes her ineligible to win a cent.
NZN