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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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. <\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Lee’s previous major wins came at the 2021 Evian Championship and 2022 US Women’s Open.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“I just think the experience that I’ve had is really going to help me hopefully get over the line.”<\/p>\n
Lee and Thitikul are the only players under par for the third of this year’s five LPGA majors.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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. <\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“You’re just happy to get 18 under your belt on a day like this.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n