Yuka Saso will go into the final day of the Women's PGA Championship seven shots off the lead after carding a 1-over 73 in Saturday's penultimate round.

The 2021 U.S. Women's Open champion is tied for 12th at 1-under through three rounds at Congressional Country Club and is the highest placed Japanese player on the leaderboard.

Yuka Saso of Japan hits a shot out of the rough on the 18th hole during the third round of the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, on June 25, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Nasa Hataoka is tied for 35th at 2-over after shooting a 3-over 75, while 2019 Women's British Open champion Hinako Shibuno withdrew before the third round due to illness.

Overnight leader Chun In Gee of South Korea finished the day 8-under after carding a 3-over 75 and holds a three-stroke advantage over compatriot Choi Hye Jin and American Lexi Thompson.

A day after carding her best round of 70, Saso shot three birdies and five bogeys as she struggled off the tee and the green.

"The worst thing was that my tee shot was unsteady," she said. "I'm hitting the putts in the direction I want, but they're not going in that easily."

Nasa Hataoka of Japan hits out of a bunker on the 18th hole during the third round of the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, on June 25, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo