Grace Kim remains in the hunt for a stellar three-win season despite falling three shots off the pace after a rollercoaster third round at The ANNIKA in Florida.
Australia's halfway co-leader carded a two-under-par 68 as Swede Linn Grant seized control with a flawless 65 at Bellair's Pelican Golf Club.
Kim grabbed the outright lead with a birdie at the fourth hole but was left to lament in a series of cruel lip-outs, including a deflating horse-shoe three-putt bogey at the last on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
Still, the 24-year-old will start the final round at 11 under and in equal third, with only Grant and American Jennifer Kupcho above her on the leaderboard.
Kupcho is 12 under, two behind Grant, after matching the Scandinavian's 65.
Thailand's world No.1 Jeeno Thitikul and Japan's third-ranked Miyu Yamashita are the only two repeat winners on the LPGA Tour in 2025.
But having won the Evian Championship, her maiden major in France in August, and helped Australia claim the International Crown teams' title last month in Seoul, the Sydney sensation is well poised to nab a third trophy on Sunday.
Grant, though, is the player to catch after hitting 17 of 18 greens in a phenomenal round of ball striking and converting with five birdies.
"Oh, I would say it's a mix. I mean, this week especially it's a mix," Grant said of what part of her game she was most happy with.
"Feel like my putting this year has been a bit of a struggle and just very happy to be able to hit my irons close and feel semi confident when I go (to putt).
"I've hit a lot of greens. I think that's been my secret this week. Just really being very confident with my iron game. Feeling like I can really go after pins and I'm having a lot of fun out there."
With seven birdies in her last 10 holes, Nataliya Guseva fired the low round of the day, a seven-under 63 that vaulted the Russian into a share of third with Kim.
Mexican Gaby Lopez (67) and American Haeran Ryu (68) are tied for fifth at 10 under.
Defending champion and three-time winner Nelly Korda will start the final round in joint seventh at eight under, six strokes off the pace, after three-putting the last hole for a 68.
Australians Hannah Green and Karis Davidson are tied for 15th at six under after also both carding third-rounds 68s at the penultimate event of the LPGA Tour season.
