Late rally keeps Stephanie Meadow in Mediheal top-10

Stephanie Meadow lost ground on leader Jodi Ewart at the LPGA Mediheal Championship in California, but a late flurry saw the Antrim woman maintain her place in the top-10.

A third round 71 sees the 30-year-old in a tie for ninth on seven-under par, with Ewart looking well placed for a maiden LPGA Tour title on –14.

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Meadow bogeyed two of her first three holes to drop down the standings before reeling off 10 successive pars. The 30-year-old picked up a shot at the 14th, and picked up further birdies in the final two holes at The Saticoy Club.

Any feint hopes of victory have all but evapourated, but Meadow will have second-placed Paula Reto in her sights. The South African sits on –7, three shots clear of Meadow.

Ewart continued her fine form at the tournament and her bid for a wire-to-wire victory, with three birdies in a bogey-free 69 to exert further control at the top of the leaderboard.

The English woman will take a four-shot lead over Reto going into today's final round.