Thompson holds slender lead

American teenager Lexi Thompson will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the LPGA’s Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

The 18-year-old carded a bogey-free five-under par 67 in Saturday’s third round in Mexico to take her total to 13 under par, one shot clear of South Korea’s IK Kim, who also shot a 67.

World No 3 Stacy Lewis follows in third on 11 under, while So Yeon Ryu is fourth on 10 under, one shot ahead of Anna Nordqvist and Pornanong Phatlum.

World No 1 Inbee Park, looking to secure the LPGA Player of the Year crown after a stellar season that included three major titles, is five shots off the pace along with her rival for the prize, Norway’s Suzann Petersen, and American Lizette Salas.

Petersen must finish third or better this week to keep Park from clinching the award, while a runner-up finish would assure Petersen could do no better than share the spoils.

Thompson made five birdies in a bogey-free round on the day, picking up her first three on the front nine before adding two more on the back.

“Controlling my yardages out here is pretty big and playing consistently,” she said.

“My irons were a lot closer today and I dropped a few longer putts.”