New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko and South Korean star Jiyai Shin have rocketed out in front of their rivals at the Women’s Australian Open golf at Royal Canberra.

Ko and Shin are three-under-par after nine holes of their third round, to be 17-under for the tournament.

Ko jumped to the lead early in the front nine with birdies on the 2nd, 4th and 6th holes.

But Shin responded immediately, pegging back Ko’s two-shot lead with an eagle out of the green-side bunker on the par-5 6th.

Overnight leader Colombian Mariajo Uribe has slipped down the leaderboard after shooting her first bogey of the tournament on the par-5 first hole, and is at 14-under.

Western Australian Kristie Smith, who started the day in fourth, has had a forgettable front nine and is three-over at the turn to be in a share of 18th.

Queenslander Sarah Jane Smith is leading the charge for the Australians and is equal fifth at 10-under.