Stephanie Meadow within striking distance of leaders ahead of Blue Bay LPGA final round

Stephanie Meadow remains in the top 10 and is four shots off the leading trio ahead of the final round at the Blue Bay LPGA in China.

The Antrim native carded a third-round 70 to move up to eight under in a tie for seventh with South Korea's Sei-Young Kim.

Bailey Tardy, Lydia Ko and Sarah Schmelzel are on 12 under, with the former two posting 66s and the latter with a 69.

USA's Schmelzel had shared the overnight lead on nine under with South Korean Narin An, who slipped back to five under and a tie for 12th.

LEADERBOARD

Starting on six under, Meadow birdied eight before a bogey on the 10th dropped her back.

However, she finished strongly with further birdies on 13 and 18 to leave herself within striking distance of the leaders ahead of Sunday's final round at the course on Hainan Island off China's southern coastline.