HOUSTON: South Korea’s Haeran Ryu and Japan’s Mao Saigo, both aided by long birdies, shared the lead after Saturday’s third round of the LPGA Chevron Championship.

Ryu fired a 4-under par 68 and Saigo shot 69 to leave each on 9-under 207 after 54 holes at Carlton Woods in the year’s first major women’s tournament.

“Another good day,” Ryu said. “I was just trying for the good spots, for the easy putts, and I wanted to try to make some birdies. That was good for me.”

American Lindy Duncan was third on 208 with American Sarah Schmelzel and China’s Liu Yan on 209.

After a bogey at the third hole and a birdie at the par-5 fourth, Ryu reeled off four birdies to close the front nine, the last a spectacular chip-in from well off the front of the green.

“I just think, wow, it’s amazing,” said Ryu, who parred her way through the back nine.

Saigo, however, was not to be outdone. She made a birdie at the par-three third, took a bogey at the fifth, answered with birdies at the sixth and par-five eighth and then holed out from the fringe at the par-five 13th to reach nine-under.

“The course condition was pretty hard. It was pretty difficult to make birdies so I kind of struggled,” Saigo said. “Two of them were chip-in birdies from outside, so I was pretty lucky.”

Both co-leaders are chasing their first major title.

“I think that’s a good pressure for me,” Ryu said. “I don’t have a major trophy in my home, so that’s a goal for my life and in golf.”

Saigo added, “I just need to focus on my golf game (and) try to control my mental control and hopefully I’ll win.”

Ryu led by a stroke entering last year’s final round but shot 74 and finished fifth.

“Last year the final round for me was not good,” Ryu said. “But I learned to be more calm and more comfortable and more slow. This year I wish to be more enjoying the course.”

Liu shared the lead at 9-under until a stumble at the par-three 17th, where she found a bunker, then chipped into sloped rough just above the bunker on the way to a double bogey.

Winds tested players in the late afternoon.

“The front nine was so good for me,” she said. “The back nine was such a challenge for me because the wind started to be stronger and the pins were so tough.”

“Definitely tested my patience out there,” Schmelzel said. “I’m sure there will be more of that tomorrow.”

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Cristiano Ronaldo led Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr to a 4-1 win over Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Elite on Saturday.
The 40-year-old scored his eighth goal of the tournament during a dominant first half performance in Jeddah, which is hosting all of the games in the tournament from the quarterfinal stage to the final on May 3.
In Wednesday’s semifinal, Al-Nassr will take on Al-Sadd of Qatar or Kawasaki Frontale of Japan, who meet on Sunday.
Jhon Duran, signed for over $100 million from Aston Villa in January, opened the scoring from close range.
Four minutes later, Sadio Mane doubled Al-Nassr’s lead, the former Liverpool forward firing home a fierce low shot from the left of the area.
There was still time before the break for Ronaldo to give Al-Nassr, looking for a first ever continental title, one foot in the last four. Goalkeeper Park Il-kyu spilled a shot from Marcelo Brozovic and Ronaldo, from close range, was on hand to score his 33rd goal of the season in all competitions.
Duran scored his second and Al-Nassr’s fourth four minutes after the break, and Anderson Lopes grabbed a consolation for the five-time Japanese champion.
Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League rival Al-Ahli defeated Buriram United of Thailand 3-0.
The damage was done early. After just four minutes, former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez scored with a low shot from the right side of the area after Buriram failed to clear. Two minutes later, Brazilian winger Galeno made it 2-0 and Roberto Firmino finished off.
Al-Ahli, a two-time finalist, will take on Al-Hilal, the four-time champion, in an all-Saudi semifinal on Tuesday.
On Friday, Al-Hilal thrashed Gwangju 7-0 with all seven coming from different scorers.
After Al-Hilal’s relatively poor run of form domestically, coach Jorge Jesus was delighted with the result and performance. “We’ve been under pressure in the Saudi Pro League, and the players have shown great focus despite that,” Jesus said.
“Without commitment, we couldn’t have achieved this. I believe we’re on the right path, creating a good atmosphere for everyone involved — players and staff.”