PATTAYA, Thailand — Angel Yin showcased an impressive performance during the LPGA Thailand tournament, as she birdied three of her last four holes on the front nine, ultimately achieving a remarkable 8-under 64 on Saturday. This outstanding play has propelled her to a commanding five-stroke lead going into the tournament’s final round.

Yin, an American golfer, now boasts a considerable three-round total of 21-under 195 at the Pattaya Old Course, which is part of the Siam Country Club.

Japanese player Akie Iwai, who had been a strong contender and led the pack after the first two rounds, fell to second place after recording a 71. Her downturn began with a bogey on the ninth hole, marking her first blemish of the tournament.

This event marks the beginning of the LPGA’s Asian swing, a series of tournaments that will see the players journey to Singapore and China over the following weeks.

At 26 years old, Yin looks to improve upon her best previous finish at the LPGA Thailand, which was tied for third place in 2021. “I wasn’t hitting off the tee as well today as I had in the previous rounds, but I got lucky with some good lies and made the most of my chances,” Yin shared, acknowledging her standing as the 17th-ranked player in the world.

The golfer from California is in pursuit of her second LPGA title, having previously won at the Buick LPGA Shanghai in 2023. Additionally, she has achieved runner-up status in two major championships: the Chevron Championship earlier this year and the U.S. Women’s Open in 2019.

Local favorites Moriya Jutanugarn and Jeeno Thitikul both recorded scores of 69, placing them at 201, just one stroke behind Iwai. The pair aims to improve upon their previous performances in Thailand, with Jutanugarn having finished tied for second in 2018, while Thitikul previously achieved a solid runner-up finish in 2021.