Sarah Kemp's hopes of landing her first LPGA Tour triumph have faded at Dundonald Links as the experienced Australian and the rest of the field were again all left chasing women's golf star of the moment, Celine Boutier.
Kemp missed a short putt at the last to end up with a level-par 72 in her third round which left her six shots adrift of French runaway leader Boutier, who's seeking back-to-back triumphs after landing her first major in her home event, the Evian Championship, last Sunday.
A 66 from Boutier on Saturday put her firmly in control again at the Ayrshire seaside course, three shots clear of Thai Patty Tavatanatik, who matched her with a similar six-under round that featured two eagles, while Sweden's Maja Stark was also in joint-second after a 72.
Stark's compatriot Madelene Sagstrom was fourth, a further shot back following a 68, while Denmark's Nicole Broch Estrup is fifth on eight under after another four-under round.
"I've definitely been playing well and the fact that I got a good result last week also is giving me a little bit of confidence," said Boutier, who was runner-up in the Scottish Open last year.
"I'm just trying to build off of that, and hopefully have a good, solid round tomorrow."
The 37-year-old Sydneysider Kemp has not given up the ghost, though, as she continues to chase her maiden LPGA triumph after being a 13-time winner on the Australasian tour.
But Saturday's 'moving day' had promised so much more for the NSW stalwart after she birdied three holes in a row at 3, 4 and 5 to move right into the thick of contention at 10 under.
But it was then all downhill for Kemp as she gave up a couple of shots before the turn and another at the 15th before her 18th green three-putt resulted in her being tied for sixth alongside Sweden's Caroline Hedwall and overnight leader Hinako Shibuno.
Japan's Shibuno, who had been playing so brilliantly after her opening round 64 and was leading by two shots overnight, shocked everyone with her third-round slump, shooting a 77 that was capped by a double-bogey five at the short 15th.
Australian double major winner Minjee Lee, who'd only scraped into the weekend fray after a brilliant 66 on Friday, recorded a four-under 68 to continue her revival and move to two under for the tournament.
It put her into joint-27th position alongside her fellow Australian Steph Kyriacou, who went round in 71, leaving the pair to play together in Sunday's final round.
