Stark leads by one going into US Women’s Open final round

Third-round leaderboard for the US Open

-7 Stark (Swe), -6 J Lopez (Spa), -5 M Saigo (Jpn), H Shibuno (Jpn), R Takeda (Jpn), -4 N Korda (US), -3 S Schmelzel (US), L Grant (Swe), M Lee (Aus)

Selected others: -2 Y Noh (US), R Yin (Chi), G Lopez (Mex), Evens C Hull (Eng), A Yin (US), + 1 L Ko (NZ), + 2 A Nordqvist (Swe), L Woad (Eng)

Maja Stark of Sweden carded an impressive two-under-par 70 in the third round at Erin Hills, giving her a one-shot lead over the Swedish Open.

On her final round, Stark birdied three holes before posting a seven-under par score.

After winning the 2022 ISPS Handa World Invitational, the 25-year-old is chasing her second LPGA Tour victory.

Julia Lopez Ramirez of Spain, who recorded a round-of-the-day 68, moves up the leaderboard.

At 19:10 BST on Sunday, the pair will be the last to leave before their final round.

On five under, third place is currently held by Japanese trio Rio Takeda, Hinako Shibuno, and Mao Saigo.

After making three birdies in her final five holes, world number one Nelly Korda trails Stark by three and is on pace for a second consecutive major title after disappointing overnight leader Saigo’s three-over-75.

Saigo, who won this year’s Chevron Championship, stated, “I would like to rest well and then come back refreshed.”