Jutanugarn 2 shots back in Canada in bid for 2nd hat trick

CAMBRIDGE, Ontario (AP) Ariya Jutanugarn shot a 6-under 66 on Saturday in the LPGA Manulife Classic, leaving her two strokes back in her bid win three straight events for the second time this season.

The second-ranked Jutanugarn was chasing South Koreans Mi Hyang Lee and Hjo Joo Kim at Whistle Bear. Lee also had a 66 to top the leaderboard at 14-under 202, and Kim was a stroke back after a 68.

Jutanugarn closed with a birdie to join Thailand's P.K. Kongkraphan (69) at 12 under.

Using a driver in competition for the third straight day after shelving it for months, Jutanugarn had eight birdies and two bogeys. She has improved each day, following an opening 70 with a 68.

After winning three straight events in May, the 20-year-old Thai player began the latest streak at the Women's British Open. She rebounded from a knee injury that forced her to withdraw during the Rio Olympics to win the Canadian Pacific Women's Open last week in Alberta for her fifth victory of the year.

Kim won the season-opening event in the Bahamas for her third LPGA Tour victory. Lee won the 2014 Mizuno Classic in Japan for her lone tour title.

Australia's Minjee Lee (66) and Germany's Caroline Masson (68) were 11 under.

Top-ranked Lydia Ko had the round of the day, shooting a bogey-free 64 to move into a tie for seventh at 10 under. The 19-year-old New Zealander has four LPGA Tour victories this year.

Marina Alex, the second-round leader after a 64, had a 73 to drop into a tie for 10th at 9 under.

Canadian star Brooke Henderson was tied for 29th at 6 under after a 69. The 18-year-old Henderson beat Ko in a playoff in June in the KPMG Women's PGA for her first major title, and successfully defended her Portland Classic title in early July.