Ashleigh Buhai played herself right into contention on Friday in the third round of the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship in Hawaii as she fired a bogey-free five-under-par 67 to climb into a share of ninth.
Thee birdies on the front nine and two on the back saw her move to eight-under-par for the tournament. That was six strokes off the lead which was held by A Lim Kim of Korea, who also had a third round of five-under 67. Kim was on 14-under, a shot clear of Russia’s Nataliya Guseva, and American Ryann O’Toole was two back of that on 11-under in third.
Buhai shared ninth with Australia’s Grace Kim, with five players and three strokes separating the South African from a possible podium finish.
Buhai’s countrywoman Paula Reto had a third round of level-par 72, and she was in a share of 53rd.
