Golf: Lydia Ko off the pace at British Open

Lydia Ko. Photo / Getty

Lydia Ko's remarkable run of contention at major tournaments is set to come to an end, with the world number one 13 shots off the pace after three rounds of the Women's British Open.

Ko moved up the leaderboard with a three-under par round of 69 overnight, to be in a share of 27th at three-under for the tournament.

However, the tournament front-runners were even more impressive, with young star Ariya Jutanugarn shooting a stunning six-under 66 to take a two-shot lead at 16-under.

The 20-year-old Thai, who won three tournaments in a row on the LPGA Tour in May, had a flawless six-birdie round, including a chip in from the edge of the green at the short eighth.

Her 16-under-par 200 total is a 54-hole record for the championship and she leads by two shots from South Korea's Mirim Lee, who had led after the first round and at halfway and stayed well in touch with a 69.

American Mo Martin, the 2014 champion, is one of the shortest from the tee on Tour but she proved she is something of a British Open specialist with a 69 for third place on 11 under par. Catriona Matthew, with a 71, was the top Briton on 10 under.

Jutanugarn played in her first LPGA event when she was just 11 -- she was the youngest ever qualifier at the Thailand LPGA Classic, and now she may be able to break through for her first major.

Ko could have been further up the leaderboard, until a double-bogey at the 18th rather spoiled her otherwise flawless card.

"I wasn't putting great the first two days, but some started to fall today," said the New Zealand 19-year-old who currently holds two major titles.

"It was a tough way to finish but hopefully I can go even lower tomorrow."

Ko had made the top three in her last five major tournaments, but can still card a strong placing with a fine final round tomorrow morning.

- With AFP