Shiho Oyama shot a 1-over-par 71 on Saturday to drop five shots adrift of leader Amy Yang heading into the final round of the U.S. Women's Open, the third major of the LPGA season.

Starting the day three strokes off the pace in a tie for second, Oyama was unable to make up ground on Yang, carding a birdie and a double bogey at the par-70 Lancaster Country Club to close at 3-under 207.

"I didn't get nervous and was able to play my game," said Oyama, who is making her first appearance at this tournament since 2009.

"I'll give it my best shot (in the final round) to try move up the leaderboard, if only by one place," added the 2006 money winner on the Japan LPGA Tour.

South Korean Yang preserved her three-shot cushion with a 69, while American Stacy Lewis also had a 69 and was alone in second place at 5 under.

Yang's compatriot Chun In-gee carded a 68 and took third spot at 4 under. Another South Korean, world No. 1 Park In-bee, had a second straight 70 and was in a four-way tie for fifth at 2 under.

Also for Japan, Rumi Yoshiba stumbled to a 72 and dropped from a share of fifth into a tie for 12th with Ai Suzuki (69) and four others.

Sakura Yokomine moved up to a tie for 18th at 1 over after a round of 67.