Choi takes one-shot Shanghai lead into final round after a 69

Hye-Jin Choi shot a 3-under 69 Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Amy Yang into the final round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai. Choi has led after every completed round at Sheshan Golf Club and stands at 9-under 207 through 54 holes.

Yang shot 68 to reach 8 under. Ruoning Yin’s 67 put her third at 7 under, two strokes behind Choi. The LPGA’s completed-round leaderboard has Rio Takeda and Carlota Ciganda tied for fourth at 4 under, five off the lead.

Choi made four birdies on the front nine Saturday, the Associated Press reported. Her 69 followed an opening 64 and a second-round 74, leaving her ahead after three very different scoring days.

Saturday’s completed third-round report · Live LPGA leaderboard

Friday’s second round

Choi had retained a two-shot lead despite her 74 Friday. Yang and Grace Kim shared second at 4 under after 36 holes. The LPGA video below shows that earlier stage of the tournament; Saturday’s completed third round has since reduced Choi’s advantage to one.

A narrow lead heading into Sunday

Choi’s advantage has shrunk each day, from three strokes after Thursday to two after Friday and one after Saturday. Yang is now the nearest challenger, with Yin another stroke behind.

Alison Lee is sixth at 2 under after her 67. Grace Kim and Yuli Shi are tied for seventh at 1 under. Defending champion Jeeno Thitikul shot 74 Saturday and is even par, according to the Associated Press.

Choi is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory after 12 wins in South Korea. The final round offers her another chance to finish a week she has led from the opening day.

Watching the final round

For U.S. viewers, Sunday’s golf in Shanghai begins on television late Saturday night. Golf Channel lists live final-round coverage from 10 p.m. Eastern October 17 through 3 a.m. Sunday, also available through GC mobile.

The LPGA’s Asian swing continues next week in South Korea, with later events in Malaysia and Japan.