LEONA MAGUIRE battled scorching temperatures and grainy greens, but not even a bogey-free six-under 66 saw her close the gap on the leaders in the Honda LPGA Thailand.

Leona Maguire can take her season's earnings to a cool $2.32 million after a bogey-free 66 left her just two shots off the pace heading into the final round of the $5 million CME Group Tour Championship in Florida.

Leona Maguire finished with three straight birdies to keep alive her hopes of recording her fifth top-10 finish of the season in the Marathon LPGA Classic in Ohio.

Yuka Saso thanked Rory McIlroy for his support and inspiration after she fought back from a horror start to beat Japan’s Nasa Hataoka at the third hole of a playoff to win the US Women’s Open at the Olympic Club.