Rising Australian golf star Grace Kim is within sight of a second US victory in as many years after surging to a commanding five-shot lead at the Meijer LPGA Classic.
Kim produced a putting masterclass in a third-round six-under-par 66 that helped the silky Sydneysider gap the field at Belmont's Blythefield Country Club in Michigan.
There were no signs of the weekend nerves of two months ago, when Kim unravelled after storming to a four-shot halfway lead at the JM Eagle LA Championship.
The 23-year-old totally collapsed to finish in a tie for 25th behind triumphant fellow Australian Hannah Green.
It was a different player on Saturday as Kim drained a series of long birdie putts to parlay her halfway share of the lead into another golden opportunity to add to the LOTTE Championship title she won in Hawaii last year.
"(I've given) myself another chance to do it again, and actually get it done," Kim said.
"I knew that my golf game was good enough, especially as I've dealt with this position in LA recently this year.
"I don't think I handled it very well (in LA). I was very nervous and got to the golf course very early for my 2pm tee times. I just didn't know what to do.
"Whereas this morning, I learnt from that experience - went to a cafe with my coach, had some avo on toast. Started packing as well.
"I just tried to do everything to keep my mind off the golf course, or anything to do with golf."
Despite sharing the lead with American Ally Ewing at 11 under, Kim had chalked up five three-putts over the first two rounds.
There were no such mishaps in the third round as she roared to life after four straight pars with a hat-trick of birdies from the fifth hole to establish a two-shot buffer over the large chasing pack.
She briefly had her momentum stalled with a bogey on the relatively easy par-5 10th but rebounded with further birdies on 13, 14, 16 and 18 to end the day with the LPGA Tour's biggest third-round lead of the year.
"I finished pretty strong, so hopefully I can just keep that going," Kim said.
"I'll have a good night meal. I watched a movie yesterday, that's probably helped a little bit as well.
"Maybe do that again tonight and see."
Ewing remains one of Kim's closest pursuers but faltered on the back nine to fall into a five-way tie for second following her third-round 71.
Retiring US star Lexi Thompson and Swede Anna Nordqvist enjoyed the rounds of the day, seven-under 65s, to join Ewing at 12 under.
"I just got into a groove," Thompson said.
"This is a golf course you know you have to come out and play aggressive and make lots of birdies.
"I came out feeling very comfortable, made a few good swings, and rolled in some putts."
Fellow American Allisen Korpuz, the 2023 US Open champion, is also at 12 under following a third successive 68, as is Korea's Narin An (69).
Australian rookie-of-the-year leader Gabriela Ruffels climbed into a share of 24th at seven under with a third-round 68.
