South Korea’s Mi Hyang Lee (-14) will take a one shot lead into the final round of the Manulife LPGA Classic after shooting a third consecutive round in the 60s and her best score of the tournament, a 6-under 66.

Lee will be going for her second career victory (2014 TOTO Japan Classic) on Sunday. She has continued her strong play into this week after recording top-14 finishes in both of her previous two starts (T14, CP Women’s Open; T11, RICOH Women’s British Open).

“I made a lot of birdies today,” Lee explained. “I made six birdies and one eagle, but I didn’t know that. So just when I checked my score at the score tent, it was a little amazing for me. And then everything is good, and then I think my chips better than maybe the last two days. So maybe I make a lot of save par. Yeah, that’s better. Everything’s good.”

Lee will be joined by fellow South Korean Hyo Joo Kim (-13) for a second consecutive day as the two are matched up in the final pairing. The Thai combo of Ariya Jutanugarn and P.K. Kongkraphan will be in the group immediately following with both being two shots off of the current lead at 12-under.

Jutanugarn has positioned herself with a chance to capture a third consecutive LPGA victory, a feat she already accomplished once in May this year. A win tomorrow would be Jutanugarn’s sixth of the season.

“I mean I’m not really worried about like leader,” Jutanugarn said. “I feel like I want to be happy on the course, and tomorrow final day.”

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

Four players who have won on Tour in 2016 are T7 or better heading into the final round at Whistle Bear. That list includes multiple event winners this year in World No. 1 Lydia Ko (4 wins) and No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn (5 wins), as well as Minjee Lee and Hyo Joo Kim, who have one win each.

Lee, one of three teenagers to win on the LPGA this year (Ko, Brooke Henderson), is excited for the chance to become the sixth player to reach multiple wins on the season.

“I feel like I’ve been really close, but just not quite there,” Lee said. “So I mean tomorrow I’ll hopefully have a good round and I’m close, but yeah, it would just mean the world to me, and yeah, hopefully I’ll have a good day.”

Another player that can’t be counted out of the mix is four-time LPGA winner and major champion Catriona Matthew, who sits just four shots behind the leader after a 66 on moving day.

“Pretty pleased really with how I played. 6-under,” the 47-year-old veteran said. “Obviously there were a lot of low scores out there today, but yeah, pleased I got myself in contention.”

FRIENDLY MATCH

Hyo Joo Kim and Mi Hyang Lee will play together once again on Sunday after the two spent Round 3 side-by-side. Lee said this kept everything “friendly” and Kim concurred she “played comfortably” thanks to her long-standing relationship with Lee. The two go back more than a decade and competed in junior golf together.

Fellow Thais P.K. Kongkraphan and Ariya Jutanugarn both closed the day tied at 12-under and will tee off together Sunday. Like Kim and Lee, the two also go back to their days at junior golf in Thailand. When asked about the difference between their game, Kongkraphan said, “[Ariya] is pretty strong. […] So maybe it’s very easy; this golf course might be very easy for her.”

WHISTLE BEAR GC SUPERINTENDENT RECOGNIZED

On Sunday, the Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association will present the OGSA Superintendent Recognition Award to Tom Kinsman, Superintendent of Whistle Bear Golf Club.

The Superintendent Recognition Program was initiated in 2003 to recognize superintendents who host significant provincial tournaments at their respective courses. Kinsman will be presented with a plaque during a presentation ceremony in the main clubhouse at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, recognizing his work and dedication in preparing for and managing the Manulife LPGA Classic.

The OGSA is a 900 member strong organization. It is the oldest superintendent run (initially) organization in North America and was founded in 1924.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

-22 - Suzann Pettersen’s winning score last year at the Manulife LPGA Classic’s first year at Whistle Bear

63 - 63 of the 74 players in the field shot even par or better on Saturday

4 - Four different South Korean players have wins on the LPGA in 2016

QUOTABLE

“I love my sleep. So even though I played in the morning yesterday, I could have done with some more sleep this morning. And yeah, beauty sleep I’d say.”

- Lydia Ko on playing in a later tee time on Sunday

Manulife LPGA Classic RD3 Notes

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