PETALING JAYA: Overnight leader Choi Hye-jin showed no signs of taking her foot off the pedal, extending her lead to four strokes in the third round of the Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on Saturday.
The 26-year-old South Korean carded a five-under 67 to reach 19-under 197, maintaining control of the US$3mil (RM12.6mil) event despite a lone bogey on the 16th.
With one round left, Hye-jin is poised to finally end her LPGA title drought after several close calls since turning professional in 2018.
"It was quite hot today, but better than yesterday," said Hye-jin through a translator.
"I’ve played well for three days now and I’m just looking for my win tomorrow.
"I’ve been waiting a long time – it would feel like a dream come true."
China’s Liu Yan emerged as Hye-jin’s closest challenger after a sizzling seven-under 65, powered by six birdies from pinpoint iron play, to sit at 15-under 201.
"It’s been hot all week, but I just focused on my game," said Liu Yan.
"Tomorrow I’ll do the same – stay patient and keep my focus."
In third place is Australian Hannah Green, who was tied with Liu Yan for the first couple of holes.
But a bogey on the 18th made the difference, dropping Green to third with a five-under 67 for a total of 14-under 202.
The Australian golfer is not giving up on chasing a five-stroke deficit to rein in Hye-jin today.
"I need to make lot more putts like did I today, that's for sure. I hope I haven't used all of them up for the week today," she said.
"Again, just trying to stay in my own lane and not really focus on what Hye-jin is doing too much.
"Yeah, hopefully make some more birdies and give it my best shot."
