RANCHO MIRAGE, California, April 6, 2013 (AFP) - The 24-year-old Park finished just shy of the tournament's 54-hole scoring record as she reached a 12-under-par 204 total at the Mission Hills Country Club course.
"I think I played really good the last few years, but I just didn't putt that well," Park said. "This week, I'm reading the breaks really good and the putts are rolling in.
"We had a similar wind as yesterday so it was easier to judge."
Park's best finish in this event was a ninth in 2008. She is aiming for her fifth LPGA Tour title and second major championship.
American Lizette Salas carded a three-under 69 and remained alone in second place at minus-nine. Salas, who tied for 46th in this event in 2012 has three top-10 finishes in her last four starts, but is still looking for her first LPGA Tour victory.
"Of course I had some nerves, but I started out birdie-birdie. I came out strong, then kind of cruised along," Salas said.
"I was not hitting the ball as well as the first two days, but I kept giving myself opportunities for a birdie.
"I played the back nine bogey-less, with only one birdie. You can't ask for any more than to be in the last group at a major, and this is only my second year out here."
Angela Stanford fired the low round of the day, carding a six-under 66 to move into a share of third place at minus-six.
She was joined in third by Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum (70), Australia's Karrie Webb (67), three-time runner-up Suzann Pettersen (67), Karine Icher (68) and Jessica Korda (68).
Former US Women's Open winner Park and Salas both birdied the opening hole before Salas grabbed a share of the lead with another birdie on No. 2. Park vaulted back in front with a long birdie putt at the par-three fifth.
Salas fell back with a bogey on the eighth.
Park drained another long birdie putt at the 10th. She hit her approach within three feet at the 12th and rolled that putt in to extend her lead.
Salas finished with five straight pars to finish alone in second place.
Park, who earned her fourth tour win in Thailand earlier this year, parred her final three holes to end three clear.
Leading third-round scores here on Saturday in the $2 million LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship (USA unless noted; par-72):
204 - Inbee Park (KOR) 70-67-67
207 - Lizette Salas 70-68-69
210 - Angela Stanford 70-74-66, Karrie Webb (AUS) 72-71-67, Suzann Pettersen (NOR) 68-75-67, Karine Icher (FRA), Pornanong Phatlum (THA) 71-69-70, Jessica Korda 70-72-68
211 - Paula Creamer 74-68-69, Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 71-68-72
212 - Hee Young Park (KOR) 70-70-72, Jiyai Shin (KOR) 70-71-71, So Yeon Ryu (KOR) 73-71-68
213 - Sarah Jane Smith (AUS) 72-72-69, Hee Kyung Seo (KOR) 72-70-71, Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 69-72-72
214 - Cristie Kerr 71-71-72, Ayako Uehara (JPN) 72-72-70, Haeji Kang (KOR) 72-69-73, Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 70-72-72, Caroline Masson (GER) 70-73-71, Jodi Ewart Shadoff (ENG) 68-72-74