Lauren Coughlin hits the front at Women's Scottish Open

Lauren Coughlin carded a six-under-par 66 on Saturday to seize a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open in Ayrshire.

Coughlin, who earned her first career LPGA win last month at the CPKC Women's Open, collected six birdies during her bogey-free round to reside at 12-under for the tournament at Dundonald Links.

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She rolled in a birdie on the 18th hole to give her a one-shot lead on Megan Khang (third-round 69), who shared the 36-hole lead with two-time major champion Minjee Lee of Australia.

Coughlin credited her putting game for raising her confidence level. "Yeah, I think a lot of it is putting," she said. "I started to get some confidence in the Asian Swing, and since then I've been able to keep it going. I'm starting to hit the ball extremely well, and yeah, I'm just starting to feel really good about my game and myself and trying to keep it going."

Khang totalled three birdies during her bogey-free round, with her final one coming after a long putt on the 17th hole.

She has just one LPGA win on her resume but entered the week No 27 in points for the season-long Race to the CME Globe.

Olympic silver medalist Esther Henseleit (66) of Germany recorded an eagle on the par-five 14th hole to go along with five birdies and one bogey.

Henseleit and Charley Hull (69) of England are tied for third place at nine-under, one stroke ahead of Lee (72).

Lydia Ko of Australia shot a 71 to sit a seven-under for the tournament, good enough for sixth place.

Lona Maguire's tough weekend continued. The Irishwoman carded a three-over 75 to sit on seven-over in a tie for 63rd.