(CNN) -- Na Yeon Choi of South Korea charged to the front of the elite field at the Samsung World Championship with a nine-under 63 at Torrey Pines in California.
Choi was in superb form from tee to green as she carded a 63 at Torrey Pines.
Choi, who is chasing her first win on the LPGA Tour after a series of near misses, has a three-round total of 15-under 201 to tie the tournament record set by the legendary Swede Annika Sorenstam in 2002 and 2005.
It left her two shots clear of compatriot Jiyai Shin, who started the day three shots ahead of Choi but slipped back despite a fine 68.
Ai Miyazato of Japan carded her third straight 68 to be firmly in contention in third place, three shots behind the leader.
But world number one Lorena Ochoa bogeyed the final two holes to card a 72 and fall into a tie for fourth place with defending champion Paula Creamer, fully seven shots adrift.
Choi tore into the 6,721 yard course as she reached the turn in 30 with a run of four birdies in five holes in perfect scoring conditions.
She added four more birdies on the back nine against a single bogey, wedging to a close to the flag on the par-five 18th before holing out for a career-best 63.
Shin, who is bidding for back to back victories in a remarkable first full season on the LPGA Tour, kept pace by birdying the 15th and 16th where she chipped in from off the green.
The $1 million tournament is contested by the leading 20 players in the world and is in its 29th year.
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