SINGAPORE: World number one Yani Tseng clawed her way back into contention on Saturday at the third round of the HSBC Women’s Champions tournament in Singapore.
Tseng, who started the day seven shots adrift of the leaderboard, posted the best third-round score of five-under 67 to leave her three shots behind the co-leaders — American duo Angela Stanford and Katie Futcher, and South Korea’s Jenny Shin.
The American duo and Shin, who shared the overnight lead, are nine-under for a total of 207 with 18 holes left to play at the $1.4-million event being held at the Tanah Merah Country Club par-72 Garden Course.
Tseng started strongly with four birdies on the front nine as the five-time Major champion signalled her desire to win the tournament for the first time.
Only a costly bogey at the eleventh marred the Taiwanese superstar’s round.
“I know it’s much better than the last two days, I made some putts today, I am hitting the ball better and having fun out there,” the 23-year-old said.
Tseng had her right elbow partially covered with a plaster to help with tendonitis that has been afflicting her in recent weeks but said she would remain aggressive for the final 18 holes. “Today I just told myself I want to try and make birdie every hole and try to get close every shot, be aggressive and don’t worry about too much,” said Tseng.