SOPHIA POPOV LEADS BY THREE AT ROYAL TROON

World number 304 Sophia Popov leads by three shots going into the final round of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon.

Popov equalled the lowest round of the week with a four-under 67 on another difficult scoring day at Royal Troon, posting an eagle and two birdies to pull clear of the field.

Coming off a second-place finish last week on the Symetra Tour, the American-born German currently has no status on the LPGA or LET and qualified for the first major of the year at the Marathon LPGA Classic two weeks ago.

World No. 8 Minjee Lee and Thailand's Jasmine Suwannapura are the only other two players under par for the tournament, with both players on one-under after third round 69s.

European Solheim Cup player Caroline Masson is a further stroke back in a share of fourth alongside Lindsey Weaver and Austin Ernst.

Overnight leader Daniela Holmqvist, the only player under par after a day of strong winds and rain on Friday, fell out of contention after a six-over 77.

The leading Brits are England's Mel Reid (+6) and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (+7). Reid, carded a three-under 68 to share 26th.

Scotland's Catriona Matthew is in a group T41 at +8.