Lydia Ko had her quietest round of the Women’s Scottish Open overnight (NZ time), but still holds a share of the lead heading into the final round. The Kiwi world No 4 had a one-under third round and sits at 15-under overall, alongside Celine Boutier of France, with 18 holes to play at Dundonald Links Golf Course. Ko began the tournament in Ayrshire with two bogey-free rounds, but suffered her first blemish on the par-five third hole in round three.

Two more followed on the par-four 12th and par-four 17th, so her four birdies – on the par-four second, par-three fourth, par-three 15th and par-five 18th – meant she only slightly improved her position.

Her chip in on the 15th served as her highlight of the day, but she struggled with the flat stick, requiring 33 putts in her round – four more than round two and seven more than round one.

Still, Ko’s three-day total of 201 is her third-lowest 54-hole effort on the LPGA Tour, and in her 16 previous times holding the lead or co-lead going into the last round, she has triumphed on eight occasions.

“I think I drove it a little better than I did the last couple days,” she said.

“My irons were not as sharp, so I don’t think I set myself up for as many easier kind of birdie opportunities.

“I know it wasn’t the best golf I’ve played, but I was able to scramble around. I don’t think it was as bad as I think, and because I had two really low rounds it makes me compare more to the past couple of days.

“I know there’s a lot of good out there and hopefully [I will] maintain the good tomorrow and see the hole on the greens on a few more.”

Boutier, meanwhile, was one of four golfers to move into the top seven with a third round of five-under or better.

She shot five-under herself, while Canada’s Maude-Aimee Leblanc carded six-under to move into the tie for third, one stroke behind, alongside Germany’s Leonie Harm, who shot five-under.