Lee trails Hall at LPGA's Portland Classic

Georgia Hall holds a two-shot lead over Minjee Lee late after the third round of the LPGA's Portland Classic.

Hall, the Women's British Open winner last month, carded a three-under 69 on Saturday to sit at 18 under.

Her Australian playing partner Lee had six birdies and two bogeys in a four-under 68 at the tree-lined Columbia Edgewater Country Club to be 16 under and four shots clear of third-placed American Marina Alex (71),

"I've got a two-shot lead. Still a lot of golf to play but looking forward to tomorrow," Hall said.

The Englishwoman opened with a 66 and shot 63 on Friday to set a tournament 36-hole record.

"I definitely putted yesterday like I did at the British," Hall said.

"Hopefully, I'll putt like that tomorrow, as well.

"But I still kind of feel the same, and I'm just looking forward to playing another round of 18 holes."

Lee lost a share of the lead with a bogey on 17 but remains well in the hunt for a second LPGA win this year.

"Just tried to play my game," the 22-year-old said.

"I felt like I played pretty solid all day. Probably had one bad drive on 17 that really cost me my bogey."

Canada's Brittany Marchand (70) and Japan's Ayako Uehara (70) were 10 under in a tie for fourth.