Ireland's Stephanie Meadow is well on course to record a top 10 finish in her first professional outing after a one-under-par third round of 69 left her in a share of third spot on two over at the US Women's Open at Pinehurst in North Carolina.
The 22-year-old Royal Portrush golfer only turned pro leading up to the women’s Major, but has put in three outstanding rounds and will go into the final round only trailing Michelle Wie and Amy Yang on the leaderboard after they finished the third round on two under.
Yet again Meadow was strongest on the front nine at Pinehurst No 2, three birdies coming in the first six holes, including a chip-in two at the Par 3 sixth.
The first of four bogeys came at the seventh but she ended her front nine on a positive note with a second two on a Par 3.
When she also birdied the 10th it looked like she was set to challenge the leaders on the way home.
A bogey on the 11th halted her momentum and she would drop shots on the 15th and 16th before making par at the final two holes to card a 69.
That left Meadow in a four-way tie of third place on two over with American legend Juli Inkster - whom she is partnered with in the penultimate pairing in the final round - South Korea’s Na Yeon Choi and Australian amateur sensation Minjee Lee.
Wie, who carded a two-over 72, was joined at the top of the leaderboard by South Korea's Yang after she carded a 68.
The winner at Pinehurst will claim a cheque for €430,000.
