Charley Hull birdied the 18th hole on Saturday to claim a share of the third-round lead at 12-under-par at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.


Pure Silk Bahamas Championship, LPGA

Charley Hull birdied the 18th hole on Saturday to claim a share of the third-round lead at 12-under-par at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.

She shares the lead after her third round 69 with Anna Nordqvist but will have to contend with a trio of capable contenders, including three top-10 players in the world - defending champion and No. 7 Sei Young Kim, No. 3 Stacy Lewis, and No. 10 Hyo Joo Kim – just one shot back. Hull is searching for her first career win and Sunday will mark the first time as an LPGA pro that she’s slept on the share of a 54-hole lead.

Nordqvist is looking for her sixth career LPGA win this week with her last win coming at last year’s ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer.

“I’m really excited,” said Nordqvist. “I really had zero expectations coming into this week,” Nordqvist said. “It’s the first tournament of the year. I’m just excited to be back playing. Put in a lot of work this winter.

Who knows when it’s going to pay off but I’ve been pretty happy with the way I’ve been striking it and playing this week so far.''

Ilhee Lee (-10) and Candie Kung (-5) posted the low rounds of the day with 7-under par, 66.