Golf: Patty Tavatanakit leads packed Honda LPGA leaderboard by one over Atthaya and Masson

Patty Tavatanakit is seeking her second victory of the season. PHOTO: TWITTER/LPGA

(REUTERS) - Overnight leader Patty Tavatanakit shot a two-under 70 to take a one-stroke lead after 54 holes on Saturday (May 8) at the Honda LPGA Thailand.

The 21-year-old is seeking her second victory of the season, having won the ANA Inspiration last month in Rancho Mirage, California for her first Major title. She is also looking to become the first Thai woman to win the event.

After two consecutive rounds of eight-under 64, Patty mixed two bogeys and four birdies in an uneven round and admitted to some nerves.

"I feel like I was a little bit more nervous at ANA just because that was my first time, let alone it was a major," she said.

"But this event is sort of the same feeling. I'm still a little nervous, but I feel like I have more self-control and self-awareness in the sense I'm able to bring myself back to normal, more normal than ANA I would say."

Patty settled down after bogeys on No. 3 and No. 9, finishing with birdies on three of the final five holes.

"I think it really did get my momentum going in the back nine, she said. "I really think I was a little bit confused. I was multitasking. I was trying to eat on the 10th hole and I was just not 100 per cent today with my energy level."

Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul and Germany's Caroline Masson trail Patty by one heading into the final round.

Atthaya, 18, recovered from bogeys on the first and third holes by picking up six birdies on her way to a four-under 68.

"Everyone want to win tomorrow, of course I want to win as well," she said. "But at the same time, I just take tomorrow as a learning opportunity. You know, like just do the best that I can. If I playing good, it's good."

Masson continued a strong week, picking up seven birdies to offset two bogeys to finish with a five-under 67. She had a bogey on No. 15 before closing out the round with three birdies.

Gaby Lopez of Mexico and Australia's Lydia Ko both shot 67s to sit another stroke back at 16-under for the tournament.

South Korea's Amy Yang, the defending champion, is tied for 10th at 12-under.

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