Thompson, Chun set for final round duel at Meijer Classic

Chun In-Gee fired a six-under-par 65 to grab a share of the lead alongside Lexi Thompson heading into the final round of the Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club on Saturday. 

The 21-year-old US Women's Open champion from South Korea produced a flawless third round including six birdies and 12 pars to move to 15 under through 54 holes at the Grand Rapids course.

Overnight leader Thompson was similarly solid, carding five birdies and no bogeys on her way to a five-under-par 66.

Kim Sei-Young was a shot off the lead on 14 under after matching her compatriot Chun's six-under-par 65.

Spain's Carlota Ciganda was two off the lead after a 66 which could have been better had it not been for a bogey on the par-four 13th, which blemished an otherwise faultless round.

Thompson, the defending Meijer Classic champion, clearly regards Blythefield as a home away from home. In her last seven rounds on the course, she is 33 under.

"I just hit a lot of drivers, and if my game's on, it comes together," she said. "It's just a nice setting and atmosphere, it's one of our best tournaments."

Chun, who has not won a tournament since her breakthrough major victory at the US Women's Open last year, will look for a repeat of her solid iron play and putting in Sunday's final round.

Elsewhere Saturday, world number-one Lydia Ko of New Zealand reeled off four consecutive birdies on the back nine on her way to a four-under-par 67 to remain in the hunt.

Ko is four off the lead on 11 under tied for sixth place with Lin Xi-Yu of China, who also carded a 67.

South Korea's Amy Yang and Amelia Lewis fired 69s and were a further shot back tied for eighth with Ryu So-Yeon.

Canadian youngster Brooke Henderson, who won the Women's PGA Championship last weekend for her maiden major, saw her challenge falter with a one-over-par 72. Henderson is tied for 21st, nine shots off the pace.

Source: AFP