Australian Minjee Lee opened up a four-shot lead at the “brutal” Women’s PGA Championship with a third-round 69 as overnight leader Jeeno Thitikul faltered 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 under as windy conditions again made it difficult at the Fields Ranch East course.
Thailand’s Thitikul, chasing her first victory at a major, led after the first two days of the tournament but shot a four-over 76, which included two birdies and six bogeys, and is on two under par.
England’s Charley Hull shot the lowest score of the second round with a 69 and followed that up with a 73 as she goes into the final day on four over par.
There have only been five rounds in the 60s at the tournament and Lee has carded two of them with 69s on days one and three.
“I just try to stay patient out there,” said two-time major winner Lee. “You can’t get ahead of yourself, especially in these conditions.
“It’s only getting harder and harder just with I think pressure of a major championship, and also the course just demands so much from you.”
Lee’s previous major wins came at the 2021 Evian Championship and 2022 US Women’s Open.
She added: “I know what it takes to win and I know just kind of what to feel and what to expect now that I have two under my belt.
“I just think the experience that I’ve had is really going to help me hopefully get over the line.”
Lee and Thitikul are the only players under par for the third of this year’s five LPGA majors.
American Lexi Thompson is on one over par after a 75 that began with a triple bogey and bogey, while compatriot Nelly Korda (72) and Ireland’s Leona Maguire (72) are one shot further back.
“Definitely proud of how I stayed strong,” Thompson said. “It was kind of a nightmare of a start, but I knew coming into the day it was going to play very difficult.
“I don’t know really what happened on my first hole, but [I’m] happy I got it out of the way and stayed positive out there and just made pars and a few birdies here and there.”
World number one Korda added: “It’s brutal out there when it comes to the set-up of the golf course, wind conditions, everything. I’m very happy with even par.
“You’re just happy to get 18 under your belt on a day like this.”
