Thompson stays on top at Kingsmill event

WASHINGTON: Lexi Thompson, seeking her first win of the season, fired a two-under par 69 on Saturday to maintain her lead after the third round of the LPGA Kingsmill Championship.

The American stands on 14-under 199 after 54 holes for a three-stroke edge over a crowded leaderboard that comprises a United Nations mix of elite women golfers.

South Korea’s Chun In-Gee is second after shooting a 67 to reach 202.

Thompson had three birdies Saturday and made bogey on the par-3 17th for the second time this week. She doesn’t plan on making any big changes for Sunday’s final round.

“I have to have the same mindset I had the last three days,” said the daredevil Thompson, who arrived on the course for the start of Wednesday’s pro-am round by parachuting out of a airplane.

“I am going to focus on my own game. Hopefully that brings me to where I need to be.”

World number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand fired a 70 to join Australian Lee Min-Jee (67) and South Korea’s Kim Sei-Young (66) in third, five shots adrift of Thompson.

Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom (68), China’s Feng Shanshan (70) and American Danielle Kang (69) share sixth at seven-under 206. American Gerina Piller, Karine Icher of France and South Korean-born Aussie Oh Su-Hyun are among five players tied for ninth at 207.

Kim tallied six birdies, including four on the back nine. She wasn’t pleased with Friday’s second round so she put in some extra time on the driving range and putting greens.