Defending champion Yani Tseng increased her lead to three strokes at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open after a third round 5-under par 68 put her at 14-under par for the championship.

Tseng, who did not tee off until 3.20pm following the morning weather delay, is three shots ahead of World Number 1 Jiyai Shin who fired a third round 4-under par 69.

“It was a very tough day. I feel I can play much better than this. I needed more putts to drop in the hole,” Tseng said. 

“Hopefully tomorrow my putting will be better.”

2009 US Open champion Eun Hee Ji is in third place at 10-under par following her third round 3-under par 73.

Australia’s Katherine Hull finished with the round of the day – a six-under par 67 to move into outright fourth and said nothing was impossible on Sunday.

“I know it is possible because I reeled in Yani a couple of years ago from six back in the Canadian Open. It is possible but it is going to be hard. She is playing well right now. I’ll do my best and see what happens,” Hull said.

 Hull’s work on the greens was a key factor in her climb up the leaderboard and said she would need more of the same on Sunday.

 “I’ll have to get off to a good start in order to have a real chance. It is possible but it will take a really hot putter to do it.”

 Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe is in fifth place at 7-under par.

 Four players are tied at 6-under, led by Canberra’s Nikki Campbell who finished with a 1-under 72.

 13 year old New Zealander Lydia Ko, Australia’s Nikki Garrett and European Number 1 Lee-Anne Pace are among a group of players at 5-under.

 The final round will begin at 8.50am from the first tee with the leaders to tee off at 1pm.

All gate proceeds go to Queensland Flood Relief.

Championship Tickets are available at the Gate or through Ticketek at http://www.ticketek.com.au/ or by calling 132 849.

Tickets: Adults- $20, Conc- $15, Children Under 15 – Free

For parking information visit: http://www.womensaustralianopen.com.au/

FINAL ROUND LIVE ON ABC TV:

LIVE SUNDAY: 1.00pm- 6.00pm on ABC1

(Check Local Guides for details)

The 2011 HANDA Women’s Australian Open will be played at Commonwealth Golf Club from 3- 6 February.