Yuka Saso skidded to a share of 17th place after carding an even-par 70 in the third round of the Pelican Women’s Championship in Belleair, Florida Saturday.
The 20-year-old Fil-Japanese shot four birdies against two bogeys before stumbling into a double-bogey on the par-4 16th hole to post a three-round aggregate of 202.
She had earlier rounds of 68 and 64.
Saso trailed co-leaders Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson by eight strokes after the two Americans shot 63 and 65 for identical 194 totals.
Starting the round two shots behind second-round leaders Thompson and Jennifer Kupcho, Korda sizzled with eight birdies marred by a bogey 4 on the third hole.
Thompson, meanwhile, continued her surge by hitting six birdies against a lone bogey on the par-3 15th.
Kupcho posted a 65 for 195 at solo third, while Christina Kim and Korean Sei Young Kim followed suit with 196 totals after similar 65s.
Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit jumped from joint 15th to a share of sixth place with New Zealand’s Lydia Ko after a scorching 64 for 197. Ko carded a bogey-free 64 to also strengthen her title bid.