EVIAN-LES-BAINS, July 23, 2011 (AFP) - Japan's Ai Miyazato had a bogey-free third round of 67 here Saturday to take the lead and raise her hopes of repeating her 2009 victory in the Evian Masters.
On a day that started dull and wet, the sun was shining by the time leaders set out and Miyazato took advantage of the ideal conditions with a glorious round of five birdies for a 13 under par total that pushed her two shots ahead of a packed field.
Four players shared second place - Americans Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford, South Korea's Hong Ran and the halfway leader, Japan's Miki Saiki.
Miyazato admits she struggled during the early part of the season in the wake of her country's earthquake disaster.
It hit around her home city of Sendai. But she has helped raise $130,000 for the disaster fund and admits she is now able to focus more on her golf.
"Today I hit the ball well and felt really comfortable out there," said the 26-year-old, whose last of six LPGA wins came at the Safeway Classic in August last year.
"But two shots is nothing. There are so many great players piled up behind me.
"But I also know I can win here. I love the tournament and the win two years ago was my first on the LPGA so it will always be special."
Saiki dropped back with an outward half of 37 but hit back with three birdies on the back nine and a round of 70. Hon made her move with a 67, while Lewis was disappointed to drop two late shots for a 69.
Stanford made the best start of the contenders and was out in front after three birdies in the first seven holes.
But she made a mistake at two par fives - taking six at both the ninth and 15th - and that wiped out her two back nine birdies and left her with a 69.
South Korea's Kim In-Kyung soared into contention and joined Swede Maria Hjorth in a share of sixth place and just three off the lead with a best of tournament eight under par 64, a round that included nine birdies, four of them at the short holes.
"It was great to birdie all the par threes," said the three-time LPGA Tour winner.
"I started with three birdies in a row from the second and it just seemed to snowball. I was so far behind that I went out to attack. I think the winning score will be around 18 under so I need another good one tomorrow."
Defending champion Shin Jiyai, from South Korea, just about stayed in contention with a 70 for eight under par, while Taiwan's Yani Tseng, the world No.1, produced her best score of the week with a 68 for six under.
Montelimar's Virginie Lagoutte-Clement continued to lead the home challenge. But a third round 74 saw her slip back to two under par. Gwladys Nocera (72) was on level par and Anne Lise- Caudal, the third French player to make the cut, had a 74 for one over par.
Leading third round scores at the Evian Masters USLPGA championship here on Saturday (par 72):
203 - Ai Miyazato (JPN) 68-68-67
205 - Hong Ran (KOR) 69-69-67, Stacy Lewis (USA) 69-67-69, Angela Stanford (USA) 70-66-69, Miki Saiki (JPN) 68-67-70
206 - Kim In-Kyung (KOR) 74-68-64, Maria Hjorth (SWE) 67-69-70
207 - Mika Miyazato (JPN) 71-68-68, Cristie Kerr (USA) 68-69-70, Ahn Shin-Ae (KOR) 67-69-71
208 - Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 73-66-69, Shin Jiyai (KOR) 69-69-70
209 - Pat Hurst (USA) 70-70-69, Morgan Pressel (USA) 71-69-69, Ayako Uehara (JPN) 70-70-69, Suzann Pettersen (NOR) 73-67-69, Paula Creamer (USA) 70-67-72
210 - Yani Tseng (TPE) 69-73-68, Yuri Fudoh (JPN) 71-69-70, Karen Stupples (GBR) 67-70-73
211 - Akane Iijima (JPN) 72-69-70, Sophie Gustafson (SWE) 71-70-70, Choi Na Yeon (KOR) 72-68-71, Brittany Lincicome (USA) 68-71-72, Park Inbee (KOR) 69-70-72
212 - Park Hee Young (KOR) 71-72-69, Lee JI-Woo (KOR) 70-73-69, Feng Shanshan (CHN) 68-72-72, Catriona Matthew (GBR) 71-68-73
213 - Ji Eun-Hee (KOR) 69-73-71, Paige Mackenzie (USA) 71-72-70, Kim Song-Hee (KOR) 71-71-71, Ryu So-Yeon (KOR) 72-69-72, Yang Amy (KOR) 73-67-73, Stacy Prammanasudh (USA) 71-68-74