The 49-year-old Inkster will have to withstand the challenge of co-leader and form player Ai Miyazato of Japan and four other rivals who were two shots off the pace in Singapore.

Inkster led most of Saturday, shooting a 3-under 69 to leave her at 7-under 209 after three rounds.

But Miyazato, who won the season-opening LPGA event last week in Thailand, jumped into a tie with a 39-foot putt for eagle on 16, helping her to a round of 69.

“It was a really long putt, but I got a really good stroke and did a down slope putt, and it was in,” Miyazato said. “Juli is like my idol. I feel honored to play with her tomorrow.”

Inkster, who hasn't won on tour since 2006, is bidding to outdo Beth Daniel, who won the Canadian Women's Open in 2003 at the age of 46 to claim the record as the LPGA's oldest winner.

“I'd say right now I'm definitely the underdog,” Inkster said. “I don't think anybody expects me to win.” Among those poised two shots back was Japan's Momoko Ueda, who has shot 68s the past two rounds. With her at 5-under were three South Koreans: Sun Young Yoo (71), Hee Young Park (69), and Hee-won Han (71).

American Angela Stanford, who was tied for the lead after two rounds, had a triple bogey on the 11th, but birdied two of her last three holes to stay in contention at 3-under.

World No.1-ranked Lorena Ochoa — who was tied for the lead after the first round but stumbled with a 79 in the second — shot a 73 on Saturday, leaving her 11 strokes off the pace and out of contention.

Last year's winner Jiyai Shin of South Korea shot a 72 to be five off the lead, along with American Michelle Wie, who had a 69.