Lexi Thompson shot a bogey-free 66 in the third round of the U.S. Women’s Open and will enter Sunday’s finale at The Olympic Club with a one-shot lead.

Starting the day four strokes behind overnight leader Yuka Saso, Thompson carded birdies on Nos. 4, 7, 9, 14 and 17 en route to the day’s best round, and a 54-hole score of 7 under.

“I have been working extremely hard in my off weeks that I do get, I’ve been working very hard, so it’s good to see the hard work paying off,” said Thompson.

“But I have one more day ahead so just going to take it one shot at a time, it’s going to be a long day and see where it goes.”

Saso shot even-par 71 on Saturday, with a closing bogey on No. 18 which dropped her into solo second on 6 under. The Philippine native will join Thompson and USA amateur Megha Ganne (72) in Sunday’s final group.

Only three other players are in red numbers heading into the final set: Ganne and Korea’s Jeongeun Lee6 (73) were T3 on 3 under, one clear of China’s Shanshan Feng (72) who was alone in fifth-place on 2 under. Japan’s Nasa Hataoka (71) and USA’s Megan Khang (74) were tied at 1 under.

2021 U.S. Women’s Open

Top-5 Leaders: Round 3

Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 3)
1. Lexi Thompson -7 (-5)
2. Yuka Saso -6 (E)
3. Megha Ganne -3 (+1)
3. Jeongeun Lee6 -3 (+2)
5. Shanshan Feng -2 (+1)