(Reuters) - World number two Brooke Henderson suffered a double bogey on the back nine but the defending champion still finished two strokes ahead of the chasing pack after the third round of the Portland Classic on Saturday.
The Canadian, who won her first LPGA title by eight shots at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club last year, carded a two-under-par 70 for a 13-under 203 total and a two-shot lead over Mariajo Uribe (71).
Henderson, 18, began the third round tied at the top with Suzann Pettersen but the Norwegian carded a sloppy 74 to fall four shots off the pace and into a tie for third with Austin Ernst (69).