South Korea's Na Yeon Choi fired a career-best nine-under par 63 on Saturday to seize a two-shot lead in the $1-million LPGA Samsung World Championship.

Choi had a 15-under total of 201 for three rounds. Overnight leader Jiyai Shin of South Korea carded a 68 to lie second on 203. Japan's Ai Miyazato carded her third straight 68 and was alone in third on 204.

"I had a great round today," said Choi, who equalled the tournament's 54-hole record held by Annika Sorenstam. "I feel almost perfect with everything. My driver was good, iron shot good, and wedge and putter good. I think perfect today."

Choi was six-under on the front nine, with four birdies in five holes from the second as well as birdies at eight and nine.

She nabbed four more birdies and her lone bogey of the day, at the 15th, on her inward run as she positioned herself for a run at her first LPGA Tour title.

Choi has been knocking on the door, with eight top-10 finishes this season.

World number one Lorena Ochoa of Mexico shot a 72 and shared fourth place on 208 with American Paula Creamer, who carded a 70.

The Torrey Pines South Course, which yielded 14 rounds in the 60s the first two days, played harder Saturday, with faster greens and tough pin positions.

Miyazato and Shin, the only players apart from Choi to break 70, were impressed by the leader.

"That's a really solid round," Miyazato said. "Nine-under, that feels like 12-under on a normal golf course. This is not a very easy golf course."

When Choi moved to eight-under with back to back birdies at 11 and 12, it looked as if she could be heading even lower.

"I didn't think about that," Choi said. "Actually I didn't know that after 12th hole I had made a birdie putt. I just try and reach the hole."

Her bogey at 15th came when she left her approach shot 45 feet from the pin. She left herself a nine-footer for par, but didn't make it.

She rebounded with birdies on two of her last three holes.

"I think actually I was nervous today, but I'm just trying to talk more with the caddy and just keep trusting myself," Choi said. "More aggression and more confidence. Actually, I feel like I have no lows, so I'm just trying everything."

Shin, who brought solid international credentials to her rookie year on the US LPGA Tour, has won three times this year.

She said having those victories under her belt had steadied her, while Choi, also experienced internationally, could feel more nerves come Sunday.

"I think that's a big thing," said Shin, who retained the lead until a couple of bogeys on the back nine. "I think because I play a lot of time with Na Yeon Choi in Korea and also LPGA Tour. Because she never win at the LPGA Tour maybe she get big pressure and nervous."

Although she gave up the lead, Shin was looking forward to a final-round fight.

"I am nervous and feel pressure too," she said. "But I really like the adrenaline feel."

AFP

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