Lee weathers Texas heat to take charge

Jeeno struggles but stays in title picture

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Australia’s Minjee Lee defied difficult, windy conditions with a remarkable bogey-free three-under-par 69 on Saturday to seize a four-stroke lead over Jeeno Thitikul atthe Women’s PGA Championship in Texas.

Lee, chasing her third major title, fired three birdies in one of just three sub-par rounds at Fields Ranch Eastin Frisco, north of Dallas, where soaring temperatures and wind tested golfers for a third straight day.

“I just try to stay patient out there,” the 29-year-old said after building a six-under total of 210. “You can’t get ahead of yourself, especially in these conditions.”

Trailing Jeeno by three to start the day, Lee grabbed her first birdie at the ninth, where she blasted out of a greenside bunker to four feet and made the putt.

She finally took control at the par-five 14th, drilling a 19-foot birdie putt as Jeeno three-putted for a bogey that dropped her three strokes back.