Leona Maguire’s chances of a third LPGA Tour title faded in Thailand as she slipped eight shots off the pace at the Honda LPGA.
Despite carding a one-under 71 to move to eight-under-par, Maguire is now back in the pack in a share of 21st place.
The Cavan star mixed four birdies with three bogeys including opening with a dropped shot on the par-5 1st.
A birdie on the 2nd and a bogey on the par-3 8th completed a one-over front nine of 37 as she lost ground on the leaders.
Two birdies in three holes to start the back nine was a brief reprieve before she gave a shot back at the par-3 16th, although she finished on a high with a closing birdie.
Home favourite Patty Tavatanakit is closing in on back-to-back wins after she carded a 66 to move three clear on sixteen-under-par.
A blistering front nine of 30 saw the Thai sensation pull clear of the field.
The 2021 major winner and last week’s Aramco Saudi Ladies winner roared out of the traps with back-to-back birdies before a birdie, birdie, eagle run from the fifth saw her move to six-under through her first seven holes and that’s where she stayed for the remainder of the round.
After an emotional win last week, Tavatanakit (24) is battling some fatigue heading into the final day.
“I feel a little bit more fatigue coming off a strong play last week. Used a lot of the adrenaline back there. It’s really hot and my body fells like it needs a lot of rest, so I’m going to go ahead and do that. I am sure the golf will just take care of itself. I really like taking care of my body.”
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