Saso shares 11th after firing 66

Yuka Saso blasted a six-under-par 66 to propel to a share of 11th place after three rounds in the 2022 Chevron Championship at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Saso, who had earlier rounds of 75 and 70, racked up seven birdies after stumbling into a bogey on the par-4 first hole to tally a three-round aggregate of 211 and tie with nine others.

Despite her sizzling round, the reigning US Women’s Open champion still trails solo leader Jennifer Kupcho by 10 strokes.

Kupcho, who started the round tied for second with Annie Park and defending champion Patty Tavatanakit, torched the course with a 64 highlighted by nine birdies and a single bogey.

The American blew hot by firing eight birdies in her first 12 holes before a bogey on the 13th. She bounced back with a birdie 2 on the 17th to finish with a three-round total of 200 following earlier rounds of 66 and 70.

Tavatanakit continued to trail by six strokes at 206 following a third-round 70while Jessica Korda jumped to solo third with 207 after a 67.

Park, meanwhile, skidded to fourth after limping home with a 73 for 209, while at the crowded fifth place with similar 210s were Brooke M. Henderson (67), Hannah Green (68), Lexi Thompson (71), Gabriela Ruffels (71), Nanna Koerstz Madsen (72) and Hyo Joo Kim (73).

Saso tees off at 1 p.m. with Atthaya Thitikul seeking a miracle to claim her first title after winning the US Women’s Open last year.