Leaders Liu, Boutier ready to duke it out at U.S. Women's Open

Jun 1, 2019; Charleston, SC, USA; Celine Boutier tees off on the 1st hole during the third round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Country Club of Charleston. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - China's Yu Liu and Celine Boutier of France lead the chase for the first $1 million winner's check in women's golf after the former university team mates finished the third round of the U.S. Women's Open tied at the top of a crowded leaderboard.

Boutier drove the ball with unerring accuracy en route to a 69 in South Carolina on Saturday, while Liu recovered from an early bogey to pile up six birdies and card a five-under-par 66 that matched the best score of the day.