Minjee Lee leads US Women’s Open

SOUTHERN PINES, North Carolina  – Australian golf ace Minjee Lee is threatening to run away with the trophy after storming to a three-shot lead after the third round of the US Women’s Open in North Carolina.

Lee fired a four-under-par 67 to surge to 13 under at Pine Needles Golf and Country Club in North Carolina on Saturday, a course with a history of dominant champions.

The past three third-round US Women’s Open leaders at the venue, including Lee’s fellow Australian Karrie Webb in 2001, have won the championship, leaving the 26-year-old well placed to claim her second career major.

The in-form world No.4 started the day slowly, making bogey at the fifth hole to fall two shots behind halfway co-leader Mina Harigae.

But Lee bounced straight back with a birdie on six followed by a burst of four successive birdies from the ninth to the 12th holes to seize command.

Harigae’s round of 70 was enough to secure a place alongside Lee in Sunday’s final pairing at 10 under.

England’s Bronte Law (68) is outright third at seven under but six shots off the pace in what looks a two-way battle for the $1.8 million ($A2.5 million) winner’s cheque – the biggest prize in women’s golf history.

Steven Alker topped yet another PGA Tour Champions leader board, shooting an 8-under 64 for a share of the second-round lead in the Principal Charity Classic, AP reported.

Coming off a victory last week in Michigan in the major Senior PGA Championship, Alker played the four par-5 holes at Wakonda Club in 5 under — making an eagle and three birdies — to match fast-closing Jerry Kelly, first-round leader Kirk Triplett and Brett Quigley at 13-under 131.

Alker is trying to win for the fifth time in his last 12 events. The 50-year-old New Zealander spent the bulk of his career on the Korn Ferry Tour and a few seasons on the PGA Tour and European tour. Last week at Benton Harbor, he closed with an 8-under 63 for a three-shot victory.

Kelly had six straight birdies in a 66. The birdie run ended on the par-4 18th when he left a 20-footer a foot short.

The 60-year-old Triplett followed an opening 63 with a 68.

Quigley shot 66, making birdies on the final three holes.

Bernhard Langer was a stroke back after a 66. The 64-year-old German star birdied three of the last five holes in a bogey-free round.

Steve Stricker was 8 under after a 67 a week after having to withdraw from the Senior PGA because of a positive COVID-19 test result. He won the major in Alabama in his previous start.

Fred Couples also was in the group at 8 under, shooting 69.