Harukyo Nomura will start Sunday's final round of the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open in a tie for first place following a 2-under-par 70 on Saturday.
Nomura carded five birdies against two bogies, leaving her tied after three rounds with Danielle Kang of the United States and Jenny Shin of South Korea at 9-under-par 207.
It is the third time in three events this season that Nomura has been in contention for her first title on the U.S. LPGA tour. In both of her last two tournaments, however, she collapsed at the end and finished in a tie for 13th.
"I was aiming to relax and enjoy playing," Nomura said. "I plan to go out with confidence and in so doing play my kind of golf on the final day."
She added: "I want to win if I have a chance, but if someone else is better than me, then that can't be helped."
