Anna Nordqvist briefly lost the lead Saturday, but did not panic with a star-studded list of names trying to chase her down at the Honda LPGA Thailand and will take a four-shot lead into the final round after shooting a 5-under 67.
Nordqvist stands at 11-under as she attempts to win her first LPGA event since 2009.
Michelle Wie, taking advantage of her length on the Pattaya Old Course at Siam Country Club, briefly took the lead as Nordqvist was making the turn, but the Swede who led after each of the first two rounds quickly jumped back out front with a tap-in eagle on the par-5 10th hole.
"Any time you can tap an eagle you're pretty happy," said Nordqvist. "I mean, I watched the leaderboard and saw nobody was really running away," said Nordqvist. "But I knew there were a couple birdies on the back nine, but the wind picked up a little bit so made it a little bit tougher."
Nordqvist steadily pulled away and pushed the lead to four shots with a birdie on the 18th hole, which she had bogeyed in the second round.
She made need all the cushion she can get with No. 1-ranked
Inbee Park finding her form in the third round of her first event of the year. Attempting to defend her title, Park also shot a 67 and enters the final round tied with Wie in second place.
"I was like four or five back behind the leader (to start), so last couple days been like a little bit of rusty from five-week break," said Park. "I think just a little bit of everything didn't really work out last two days. I was just trying to work things out and get used to the tournament feeling. That's what I did today."
"I feel like I'm a lot more comfortable and a lot less nervous."
Second-ranked Suzann Pettersen is nine shots off the lead at 2-under, while No. 3 Stacy Lewis fell out of contention with a 73 on Saturday.
Former No. 1 Yani Tseng is in contention following a 66, the low round of the day. She is in a four-way tie for fifth place, six shots behind Nordqvist.
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