Fellow South Korean Sung Hyun Park (67) was at 15 under, and Feng Shanshan (69), China’s only major victor, was two shots further back.
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The 22-year-old, who won the 2015 US Open, shot a six-under-par 65 to pull clear of compatriot Sung Hyun Park, who signed for a 67.
While her four shot cushion is a big advantage Chun knows there is still plenty of work to do with her nearest challenger one of the game’s most talented young players. Pettersen won this event two years ago when it was shortened to 54 holes because of rain and the expectation is that she is in for another strong finish as her focus narrows at the end of the season.
China’s Shanshan Feng, who placed third here past year, will be in confident mood after her bronze medal at the Rio Olympics.
“She really surprised me because she looks really skinny, but she hits it really long”, Feng said of Park, a non-LPGA member who tied for third at the US Open after leading at the halfway stage. “I went on to win another major (the ANA Inspiration Championship) this season, but Evian kick-started it all”. “Because it puts too much pressure on me”.
South Korea’s Sung Hyun Park, who shared the overnight lead with Chun, had three bogeys and six birdies in a round of 68 and was tied for second place with Shanshan Feng – China’s only major victor.
In fact, she already tied the 72-hole record in relation to par with 18 holes to play.
There is no doubt that Chun In Gee wants to win a second career Major. They are one stroke behind the leaders.
Sung Hyun Park, also from Korea and also 22, has played little golf in the USA but has been dominant on the Korean LPGA Tour in 2016.
She has finished outside the top-13 just once in her six appearances on Tour.
In Gee Chun of South Korea follows the flight of her ball after playing on the 2nd hole during the third round of the Evian Championship women’s golf tournament in Evian, eastern France, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. “It was a good thing my wedge shots or chip shots were good enough where I was able to get off with par”. “But I feel very comfortable”.
Ko bogeyed the eighth hole and she was again in trouble on the 10th when her tee shot landed in the rough between two trees.
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When the nation’s Olympic medalists met China President Xi Jinping on their return home, she made quite an impression.
