Mel Reid leads Jennifer Kupcho, Jennifer Song by one in search of first LPGA win

GALLOWAY, N.J. — Mel Reid gave herself another chance for her first LPGA Tour victory.

Two weeks after missing an opportunity in Portland, the 33-year-old Englishwoman shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday to take the lead into the final round of the Shoprite LPGA Classic.

In Portland, Reid closed with a 2-over 74 to tie for fifth after taking a two-stroke lead into the last day.

“Sometimes I get too quick and it kind of makes me quick on my swing,” Reid said. “So just take my time tomorrow, I think. That is basically what we kind of took away from last week. I was just rushing things a little bit and probably hitting shots I wasn’t quite comfortable with. Tomorrow I’m going to take my time a little bit more, and hopefully it makes a bit of a difference.”

Full-field scores from the ShopRite LPGA Classic

Reid eagled the par-5 ninth in a bogey-free round Saturday. She had a 15-under 198 total.

“I’m starting to get a little confidence and starting to feel like I can be one of the world’s best, so we’ll see,” Reid said “Just keep doing what I’m doing and stay humble and hopefully good things will happen.”

The three-time European Solheim Cup player has six victories on the Ladies European Tour.

Americans Jennifer Kupcho (65) and Jennifer Song (65) were tied for second.

Second-round leader Nasa Hataoka was 12 under after a 70.

Ryann O’Toole (67) and Kelly Tan (65) were at under. Brooke Henderson (65) was another stroke back.

Defending champion Lexi Thompson, winless since the June event last year, was 6 under after a 68.

The tournament is being contested over 72 holes for only the second time since it began in 1986. The additional round replaced the pro-am that was canceled because there are no spectators. The major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is next week at Aronimink outside Philadelphia.