US Women's Open: Lottie Woad given two-shot penalty for bunker infringement during third round with Charley Hull in contention

Lottie Woad was handed a two-stroke penalty during the third round of the US Women's Open on Saturday following a rule breach in a bunker as Charley Hull sits three off the lead.

The 22-year-old, who is making her debut at the tournament this week, was adjudged to have improved her stance in the sand trap on the ninth hole at Riviera Country Club, resulting in a penalty under Rule 8.1a of the regulations.

The infringement saw the rising English superstar move from picking up a bogey five to taking a triple-bogey seven heading around the turn.

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After finding the hazard with her approach shot, Woad lost her balance in the sand before recovering to finish the hole but was informed of the penalty two holes later.

Woad, who is ranked sixth in the world, just made the cut at four over par after her second round, but carded a 74 on Saturday to finish the day seven over for the tournament.

Compatriot Hull enjoyed a better day than Woad. The three-time LPGA Tour winner, who is still aiming to break her major duck having finished as runner-up in this tournament three years ago, shot six under par for the day.

That 69 was the low round of the tournament so far and saw Hull move to three under par for the tournament.

"I kind of like chasing," she said. "I just find it more fun and I can then be free and play how I want to play golf.

"I overthink things ridiculously and then get myself really tired, so it's just sometimes I need nothing in my mind and just go out and play, a distraction."

Korda shares lead after another strong round

Nelly Korda started poorly this week at Riviera, but she shook it off and has responded with two straight stellar rounds that have put the world No 1 in prime position to win the title she covets most of all.

Korda shot her second successive four-under 67 on Saturday to claim a share of the lead, ending with three consecutive birdies and finishing even with Sei Young Kim at six-under 207.

"It's always amazing to be in this position," Korda said. "That's what we work so hard for, to be in this spot. So whatever happens tomorrow happens, but I'm going to give it my all and see what the outcome is."

Korda, already a three-time major winner after dominating The Chevron Championship in April , has played her way into prime position to contend for her second straight major title and first US Women's Open crown.

First-round leader Jennifer Kupcho and 2015 US Women's Open champion In Gee Chun are a shot back at five under after 69s, while second-round co-leader Ruoning Yin, Mexico's Gaby Lopez and Japan's Nasa Hataoka are four under.

"I'm not going to get too frustrated," Korda said. "I think last year I really, really wanted it, and the more you want it, sometimes the more you stiffen up and you get a little bit more nervous.

"So I play my best golf when I'm happy, free Nelly and I'm kind of joking around out there. That's kind of the attitude that I'm going to have."

Several players traded the lead on a sunny afternoon in front of the week's biggest crowd at this 100-year-old country club in Pacific Palisades.

Kim was one shot off the lead after each of the first two rounds, and the South Korean star carded a steady 68 after a birdie on 17 to stay right on pace with Korda.

Southern California native Alison Lee was one shot off the lead on the back nine before making three late bogeys and finishing at three under. Lee, who gave birth to son Levi 15 months ago, would be only the fourth mother to win the US Women's Open and the first since Juli Inkster in 2002.

Yin made three bogeys on the front nine before getting back to four under with two late birdies. Her 71 made her the first golfer in US Women's Open history with seven consecutive rounds of even par or better.

Asterisk Talley, a 17-year-old amateur from California's Central Valley, shot a 66 and is one under.

Watch the US Women's Open live on Sky Sports, with final-round coverage starting on Sunday at 8pm on Sky Sports Mix. Get Sky Sports or stream golf with no contract

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