Hataoka delivered the best round in the toughest conditions on Saturday for a six-under 66 to get to seven-under and hold a one-shot advantage from American Allisen Corpuz.

The Japanese star not only posted the low score of the championship, she played bogey-free on a day Pebble Beach dished out big numbers without much warning. Her 66 was nearly nine shots better than the field average.

More important, it left the 24-year-old on track for her first major title. Hataoka has lost play-offs at two majors, including two years ago to Yuka Saso at the U.S Women's Open up the California coast at Olympic Club.

Corpuz was right there with her until the end, when she caught a plugged lie in the bunker that runs along the ocean wall on the 18th. She had to pitch out to the fairway and missed her 15-foot par putt.

Corpuz had a 71 – one of just 10 players who broke par on Saturday – and will be in the final group with Hataoka on Sunday.

"In other words, I have to go on all of those 18 holes, discuss with my caddie and work out what's the best for me, and enjoy my day tomorrow." – Nasa Hataoka.

Bailey Tardy, the LPGA Tour rookie who had a two-shot lead at the start of the day, lost her way late in her round as she shot 75 to be three shots off the pace, tied with Hyo Joo Kim (73).

Jiyai Shin (70) and Hae Ran Ryu (73) were five behind the leader. No one else was under par.

Lee carded a 72 after a double bogey on the par 3 12th hole and was tied ninth at one-over while fellow Australian Gabriela Ruffels (70) was two shots further back, with rookie Grace Kim (71) at five-over and Hannah Green (86) at seven-over.

Of the six players still under par, only Kim and Shin have won majors. Shin is a two-time AIG Women's Open champion and former World No.1 who has left the LPGA Tour and primarily plays the Japan LPGA.

Hataoka hopes she can learn from her experiences in play-off losses at majors, particularly the one at Olympic.

"I still have this very last day to look forward to, and although circumstances may be different, I think some of the elements are still the same as they were versus two years ago," Hataoka said.

"In other words, I have to go on all of those 18 holes, discuss with my caddie and work out what's the best for me, and enjoy my day tomorrow."

Hataoka, six shots behind at the start of the round, drew her loudest cheer when her 40-foot chip from behind the 16th green broke hard to the right and dropped for birdie.