Aussie Kirk in hunt at LPGA South Korea

Australian Katherine Kirk is four shots behind the leaders at the LPGA Championship tournament in South Korea after the third round on Saturday.

South Korean duo Hee Kyung Bae and Kyu Jung Baek both shot a third-round, four-under-par 68 to take a share of the lead going into Sunday’s final round.

Bae birdied five holes after the turn on the Ocean Course at the Sky72 Golf Club, while Baek had six birdies to go with two bogeys.

Both were at 5-under 211 overall, one stroke ahead of a large group that includes world No. 2 Inbee Park, Suzann Pettersen of Norway and overnight leader Karine Icher of France, who only managed a 73.

Park (68) could supplant Stacy Lewis at No. 1 if she wins the tournament. Lewis is not playing this week.

US Women’s Open champion Michelle Wie is just two strokes off the pace after sinking four birdies on the last five holes for a 67.

Wie is making her first start since withdrawing during the first round of the Evian Championship in September after re-injuring a stress fracture in her right hand.

Defending champion Amy Yang of South Korea shot a 67 and is four strokes off the lead.

Women’s British Open winner Mo Martin struggled with a 75 that left her tied for 54th place.

Brittany Lincicome of the United States and Beatriz Recari of Spain both shot even-par 72 to join the group of 10 players who are one stroke back.

Australia’s Minjee Lee shot a third-round 74, a day after sliding down the leaderboard with a disappointing second-round 78.

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