US Open golf 2016: Lydia Ko leads by one shot after third round

SAN MARTIN, California: World No.1 Lydia Ko has moved a step closer to a third major championship victory by seizing a one-shot lead after the third round of the US Women's Open in San Martin, California.

The New Zealander broke clear of a congested leaderboard when she struck a superb wedge to 12 feet at the par-five last and coolly sank the birdie putt to card a two-under 70 on a blustery day at CordeValle Golf Club.

Ko is seven under and a stroke clear of South Koreans Park Sung-hyun (74) and 2009 champion Ji Eun-hee (70) while Minjee Lee is the best-placed Australian at one over after a round of three over.

On a roll: Lydia Ko reacts after making a birdie putt on the 18th green during the third round of the U.S. Women's Open tournament. Photo: Eric Risberg

"The biggest difference today was the wind," said Ko, who won her first major title at last year's Evian Championship before adding a second at the ANA Inspiration in April.

"I knew it would play a lot tougher than yesterday because the majority of my round yesterday was played in calm weather.

"It was really tough out there because the course is drying up, firming up, and it was tough to get near the pins on some holes."

American Brittany Lang, who tied for second at the 2005 US Women's Open, carded the best round of the day, a 68 lifting her into a tie for fourth at five-under with Korean Amy Yang (73).

All eyes, however, will be firmly focused on Ko in Sunday's (Monday AEST) final round as she bids to another prestigious trophy to her resume, having posted two wins and a playoff loss in her last three major starts.

"Experience is huge," said Ko, who was beaten by Canadian Brooke Henderson on the first extra hole of last month's KPMG Women's PGA Championship outside Seattle.

"Winning the Evian Championship gave me a lot of confidence to say, 'Hey, I can play well at these majors.'

"And winning the ANA at a course where I hadn't really played well before gave me another boost of confidence."

Reuters