KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Oct, 2014 (AFP) - Pornanong surged to the top of the leaderboard after firing a string of birdies while others struggled in humid conditions at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
The Thai star notched an impressive eight birdies, bettering the seven she notched Friday to compile an aggregate score of 14-under 199.
Pornanong picked up seven shots over her first 10 holes, but then suffered a lapse with bogeys on the par-five 12th and 16th before she holed her final birdie on 17.
"I don't know why I was nervous (on the back nine). But I kept my concentration (and) I putted well including a 10-foot putt on the eighth," the 24-year Thai player said.
"Of course I will try hard to win. I hope I can do well. For Sunday, going into the final round I will just play my game and play shot by shot."
Meanwhile Japan's Ayako Uehara played another strong round to sit in second place on 11-under total after a round of 69, following her 63 on Friday.
"Very tough pin position and distance. But I think I had a good round," she said.
South Korea's Chella Choi and Feng Shanshan of China are one shot behind, alongside New Zealand teen Lydia Ko and overnight leader Ryu So-Yeon, who is now forced to play catch-up.
Another Thai, Ariya Jutanugarn, surged to seventh from 35th with a great round of 64.
But world number one Stacy Lewis continued to slip down the field. After opening with a 65, the first-round leader has carded 71 and 72 and is now nine shots off the lead.
Defending champion Lexi Thompson is tied for 41st and out of title contention in the $2 million tournament with an even-par score of 213.
Leading scores on Saturday from the third round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia tournament:
199 - Pornanong Phatlum (THA) 67-67-65
202 - Ayako Uehara (JPN) 70-63-69
203 - Chella Choi (KOR) 69-66-68, Lydia Ko (NZL) 69-64-70, So Yeon Ryu (KOR) 66-65-72
204 - Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) 69-71-64, Lee Il-Hee (KOR) 70-66-68, Choi Na-Yeon (KOR) 66-70-68
205 - Caroline Masson (GER) 72-67-66, Lee Mi-Rim (KOR) 71-67-68, Yoo Sun-Young (KOR) 70-67-68, Lee Mi-Hyang (KOR) 67-69-69, Jodi Ewart Shadoff (GBR) 69-64-72
206 - Jenny Shin (USA) 67-68-71, Ji Eun-Hee (KOR) 66-67-73
207 - Hur Mi-Jung (KOR) 71-67-69, Pernilla Lindberg (SWE)70-68-69, Azahara Munoz (ESP) 69-65-73