Aditi Ashok will take a two-stroke into Saturday's final day of the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Open at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
The Indian teenager carded four-under 68 on Friday’s third round to finish on 15 under.
Cheyenne Woods, niece of Tiger Woods, birdied the 18th to finish Friday's action in second with 13 under while overnight leader Lee-Anne Pace and Eleanor Givens were a further stroke behind sharing third.
Ashok, 19, began the day brightly. She fired six birdies but bogeyed the third hole on the front nine.
________________________________________________________________________________
Read more
Beth Allen misses cut in Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Open title defence
Lee-Anne Pace thanks her putter after claiming first round lead at Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Open
________________________________________________________________________________
The resident of Bangalore could only muster one birdie and then bogeyed the 13th and 15th, yet, it was good enough for her to remain in the lead and start the final round with a small advantage.
“I started off really good, five under in the front nine but a couple of bogeys in the back nine could have been avoided but still good,” said Ashok.
“I was hitting really well in the range in the morning and I knew I will be giving myself lot of birdie chances. That, I did and made a couple of birdies but back nine couple of bad tee shots and one three-putt on the 15th was bad.”
Woods was pleased with her efforts.
“I had a pretty solid round all together," she said. "I played well all through and give myself lot of chances for birdies.
“I was getting frustrated on the back nine as I was not making enough but birdie on the 18th always helps going into Saturday.”
Pace started with a birdie but could only add another on the 14th, but that was undone by a bogey on the next and another on the final hole for the South African to finish the day on par 72.
Givens was the most impressive on the day. She carded a career best 64 to move from 29th to share third spot.
The Briton reeled off five birdies on the front nine, an eagle on the 11th and rounded off with her sixth birdie for a bogey-free round.
“I really enjoyed today. I kept hitting the ball well and hit it very close and made the putts,” said Givens.
“I actually missed a couple of chances, believe it or not, especially at the par fives. I played the front nine great.
“My family were here today so it’s great they got to see my lowest ever round and now I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. I am going to go out and be aggressive.”
