After a blazing 63 on Friday, the leader from Clifton, New Jersey slowed down a bit on Saturday. Minjee Lee, who started the week with three consecutive top 20 finishes, was able to stay atop the Cognizant Founders Cup leaderboard despite losing ground to her pursuers.

Lee started his day with a par before trading a birdie for a bogey on numbers 2 and 3 at Upper Montclair Country Club. She rebounded with a 5-circle and made the turn with a 1-under 35.

After bogeying on the 11, Lee canned an eagle on the par-5 12 to regain the lead. Another birdie on 13 and five closing pars totaled a 3-under 69 third round.

Lee’s last victory on tour came at the Amundi Evian Championship, his first major victory and his sixth LPGA victory overall.

18-hole point guard Madelene Sagstrom followed her up and down 2-under 70 on Friday with a bogey-free 5-under 67 inches to the head. She is only one back.

The Swede played her first four holes on Saturday under 3, then fought her way to turn with a 33 under 3. Birdies on numbers 12 and 14 would be the only flush on her back nine card, because she finished her mistake of the day. free.

Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden lines up her shot on the 1st green during the third round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Upper Montclair Country Club on May 14, 2022 in Clifton, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Sagstrom entered the week in great shape, as she grabbed a T-9 in her last start and a T-3 a week before that.

The Solheim Cupper’s last win came at the 2020 Gainbridge LPGA in Boca Rio.

Two shots behind Sagstrom is Lexi Thompson, who so far this week has shot rounds 67, 66 and 69. On Saturday, she signed for four birdies and a bogey, which came in at par-5 9th. She is three behind Lee entering the final round.

Angel Yin (11 under) is fourth while Paula Reto, Megan Khang and Ally Ewing (9 under) are tied for fifth.