Ryu Hae-ran builds four-shot lead at BMW Ladies Championship

Ryu Hae-ran shot a four-under 68 Saturday to take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the BMW Ladies Championship in Haenam, South Korea. She stood at 17-under 199, ahead of Park Min-ji, Choi Hye-jin and Yuri Yoshida, according to The Korea Times.

Playing near her hometown of Yeongam, Ryu is pursuing her third title of the season and sixth LPGA career victory. Her earlier wins this year came at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in June and the Amundi Evian Championship in July.

Ryu recovered quickly from her first bogey of the tournament at the 15th hole, closing with three consecutive birdies. Through three rounds, she had made just one bogey and missed only two greens, The Korea Times reported.

Ranked No. 3 in the world, Ryu was the highest-ranked player in the field. Her finish left the three players tied for second at 13-under with a four-shot deficit entering the final round.

Choi briefly moved two strokes ahead but lost ground late, including with a double bogey at the 17th. She finished with a 66, while Park shot 65 and birdied her final three holes to join Choi and Yoshida in second.

Park is seeking her first LPGA title, but The Korea Times reported that she plans to play on the Japanese tour next year. An LPGA win would make her eligible for membership, which a nonmember can accept immediately or defer until the following season.

Choi is also seeking her first LPGA victory, in her 125th career start. According to The Korea Times, she has earned a little over $7.5 million, more than any other player without a victory in LPGA history.

Kim Sei-young won last year's event at a tournament-record 24-under. Ryu now heads into the final round with a four-stroke cushion in her bid for another victory in South Korea.