Amy Yang retains three-shot lead at the US Women's Open

South Korea's Amy Yang fought off a late challenge by Stacy Lewis to retain a three-shot lead heading into Sunday's final round of the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club.

Yang and playing partner Lewis birdied three of the first six holes but struggled on the greens, both closing with one-under 69s at Lancaster Country Club.

The South Korean had threatened to romp clear when a gain at the par-five 13th gave her a four shot advantage, but she saw her lead halved with a dropped shot at the next as Lewis posted a birdie.

A three-putt bogey at the 17th from Lewis restored Yang’s three-stroke cushion, with the 24-year-old now looking to become the sixth South Korean player in eight years to take the title.

"I had a tough time getting the right speed on the green, but I've hit the ball great this week. I'll take positives from there," Yang said. "My coach and I, we have practised hard this week. I believe I can do well."

Three birdies on the back nine from In Gee Chun helped the 20-year-old card a third round 68 to stay within five strokes of the lead, with Japan's Shiho Oyama a further shot off the pace. 

Earlier in the day Chella Choi fired a record-setting front nine of 29 on her way to narrowly missing out on the all-time tournament low round.

The South Korean struck nine birdies in a six-under 64, but missed the chance to move closer to the leaders with a three-putt bogey from 30 feet at the last.

A par on the 18th would have seen Choi tie the championship scoring record of 63 set by Helen Alfredsson in 1994, but she saw her three-foot putt curl wide.

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"I made birdies a lot today, so my putting is good,” Choi said. “I’ve played really good in the last couple of weeks but I wasn’t making a lot of putts, so I change my putter. It feels different.”

Choi is one of four players tied on two under including defending champion Wie and world No 1 Inbee Park, who closed a second successive 70 after completing 16 of the 18 holes in regulation. 

World No 2 Lydia Ko is in a tie for 18th after posting a one-under 69. while England's Charley Hull dropped three shots on the final five holes to slip four over for the tournament. 

Watch the final round of the US Women's Open live on Sunday from 7.30pm on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf