Davidson chases historic payday five shots off Women's PGA lead

Australian underdog Karis Davidson remains in contention for a historic payday at the Women's PGA Championship in Minnesota. Davidson sits five shots behind the leader, Hae-ran Ryu, heading into the final round, tied for eighth place at 6-under-par. The 27-year-old improved her position with a third-round 1-under-par 71 at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

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The greens are pretty slick. They don't have too much grass on them. The short putts are pretty difficult.

Ryu, from South Korea, surged to the lead with a 4-under 68, putting her at 11-under for the championship. She holds a one-stroke advantage over Canada's Brooke M Henderson. Another South Korean, Ina Yoon, slipped to second place after a three-over 75, now two strokes behind Ryu. The winner will claim a record $US1.95 million.

American Nelly Korda, the world number one, is four shots back and one ahead of Davidson. Korda is aiming to become only the third woman since 1950 to win the first three majors of the year. However, she has struggled with putting on the slick greens, ranking 65th among remaining players for putts between three and five feet. Korda noted the greens are "pretty slick" and that wind affects putting.

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Putting in general, when it gets this windy, you have to calculate in the wind, too, and a gust here and there. Sometimes you just aren't as confident with your lines.

Davidson has the chance to join Australian greats like Jan Stephenson and Karrie Webb as an LPGA Championship winner. Other Australians in the field include Grace Kim, tied for 32nd, and Robyn Choi, equal 41st. Hannah Green and Minjee Lee missed the halfway cut.

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It was more windy and a lot of tough shots and tough putts, but I just made one bogey today, so it was good for me for tomorrow, and tomorrow I just want to have more confidence and more calm.