NEW YORK (AFP) — Defending champion Minjee Lee, the world number six from Australia, fired a five-under par 67 to grab a three-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the LPGA Founders Cup.

Lee, seeking her ninth career LPGA title, matched the day's low round to stand on 12-under 204 after 54 holes at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey.

"I think I was pretty solid all day," Lee said. "I made a lot of birdies on the front nine and then one eagle on the back and then I made pars coming in. I feel like I had a pretty good day."

South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran, a 22-year-old LPGA rookie, shared second on 207 with American Angel Yin. India's Aditi Ashok, South African Ashleigh Buhai and South Korea's third-ranked Ko Jin-young — a two-time Founders Cup winner — were on 208.

'I think I was pretty solid all day.'

Lee made a bogey-birdie start but caught fire with a birdie at the par-3 sixth hole and closed the front nine with back-to-back birdies at the par-3 eighth and par-5 ninth.

The 26-year-old from Perth added an eagle at the par-5 12th and parred in from there.

Ryu birdied the par-5 14th to pull within one of the lead but then stumbled back with bogeys at the par-3 15th and par-3 17th holes.

World No. 45 Ryu, coming off a career-best showing with a share of sixth at Los Angeles, shot 70 while Yin fired a 68.

Ashok fired a 71, stung by a double bogey at the 16th, while Buhai shot 68 with six birdies but a double bogey at the third.

Ko, a two-time LPGA Player of the Year and twice a major champion, shared the 36-hole lead but fell back with a 72 as she chases a 15th career LPGA title and second of the year after defending her Singapore crown in March.

Australia's Sarah Kemp, who shared the 36-hole lead, fell seven adrift with a 75.