Hwang Yu-min moves into third place at LPGA Toto Japan Classic

Six birdies, two bogeys for 4-under 68; chasing second tour win

Iwai leads at 15 under; Kim Hyo-joo tied 15th

Hwang Yu-min acknowledges the gallery after making a birdie on the par-3 8th hole during the third round of the LPGA Tour's Toto Japan Classic at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, on Saturday. [Getty Images]

Hwang Yu-min moved into a tie for third place in the third round of the LPGA Tour's Toto Japan Classic ($2.1 million purse), keeping her chances of a come-from-behind victory alive.

Hwang carded six birdies and two bogeys for a 4-under-par 68 on Saturday at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course (par 72) in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.

At 13 under par and 203 strokes through 54 holes, Hwang shares third place with Erika Hara of Japan. She sits two strokes behind outright leader Akie Iwai of Japan, who posted a bogey-free 6-under 66 to reach 15 under par at 201.

Arphichaya Yubol of Thailand fired a 7-under round to move into sole second place at 14 under par and 202. Defending champion Nasa Hataoka of Japan managed only even par on Friday, slipping from sole leader to a tie for fifth.

Starting the day in a tie for fifth, Hwang hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation for an 88.9 percent greens-in-regulation rate. She needed 32 putts, however, which prevented her from posting an even lower score.

Hwang picked up her first birdie at the par-4 5th hole but gave a stroke back with a bogey at the par-4 6th. A birdie at the par-3 8th sent her to the turn at 1 under. She turned up the pace on the back nine, adding a birdie at the par-4 10th, then picking up two more at the par-5 12th and the par-4 15th. A bogey at the par-3 16th cost her a stroke, but she recovered with a birdie at the par-5 17th to finish at 4 under.

Hwang claimed her first LPGA Tour title at the Lotte Championship in October last year. She will go for her second career win in Sunday's final round.

Akie Iwai acknowledges the gallery after sinking a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the second round of the LPGA Tour's Toto Japan Classic at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, on Friday. Iwai went bogey-free with six birdies in Saturday's third round to take sole possession of the lead at 15 under par and 201. [Getty Images]

Among South Korean players, Kim Hyo-joo carded a 3-under round Saturday to remain in a tie for 15th at 9 under par and 207. Lee Min-young, who competes on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, is tied for 19th at 8 under par and 208.

Kang Min-ji is tied for 31st at 6 under par and 210, while Ko Jin-young, Shin Ji-yai and Joo Su-bin share 42nd place at 4 under par and 212. Lee Mi-hyang and Jeon In-ji are tied for 50th at 3 under par and 213.

yjc@heraldcorp.com