Minjee Lee eagles 7th, in 3-way tie atop U.S. Women's Open - ESPN

LANCASTER, Pa. — With the biggest name on the LPGA Tour spending the rest of her weekend away from Lancaster Country Club, a thrilling finish is nonetheless brewing entering the final round of the U.S. Women's Open.

No Nelly Korda? No problem.

It just means more Wichanee Meechai, Minjee Lee and, after her 3-stroke surge Saturday, more Andrea Lee, too. After trading birdies and bogeys along the back nine, the trio sits tied atop the leaderboard at minus-5 overall with 18 holes to go in the major championship.

«Michelle Wie West texted me [Friday] night and she told me just whatever the outcome is, just put your 100% effort into it,» Andrea Lee said, referring to the 2014 U.S. Women's Open champion. «I really took that to heart.

»I just tried to have fun out there and just play the golf course and not try to play against the field. Just me and the golf course."

Although Andrea Lee's third-round 67 didn't seem to prove it, the course has been its own opponent of sorts this week.

Two days before play began, Korda — the world's No. 1 women's golfer who has won six of the nine events she has entered this season — called it «a beast.»

For her, it was a menace. Korda joined several other golfers ranked in the top 20 who missed the cut. Most of them attributed their struggles to the hilly fairways, unforgiving water hazards and sloping greens that are hallmarks of Lancaster Country Club.

Early in her third round, though, Minjee Lee tamed one of the most challenging holes, the par 5 at No. 7. After a succession of booming shots off the tee and fairway, she buried an eagle putt that drew loud, approving roars from the crowd that echoed throughout the course.

«The tee was up,» Minjee Lee said of the 470-yard hole. «Hit driver, hit