Stephanie Kyriacou, Australia's rising teenage golf prospect, shot a four-under-par 68 to move into outside contention going into the last round of the Saudi Ladies International.
Lydia Hall, of Wales, and Emily Kristine Pedersen, Denmark's leader in the Race to Costa Del Sol, were both setting the pace on 10-under par, a shot clear of England's Georgia Hall.
Yet the 19-year-old Kyriacou recorded one of the best rounds of the day to shoot into joint seventh, just six off the pace, and continue her assault on winning 'Rookie of the Year' honours.
The Sydney youngster's round, which featured four birdies in the final eight holes, sets her up for the prospect of a fifth top-10 finish on the Ladies European Tour in her debut season.
Kyriacou, who turns 20 next Sunday, has made great strides since her extraordinary victory as an amateur at the Australian Ladies Classic in February.
She turned professional two days later and has since enjoyed an impressive start in the paid ranks as she currently lies seventh in the Race to Costa Del Sol, the Tour's order of merit system.
Lydia Hall shot a 69, slipping only after racing to the turn in 32, while Pedersen recorded a 71 to set up a fascinating final day duel, with former Women's Open champion Georgia Hall right in the mix after a 69.
Overnight leader Pedersen did not have her 'A' game at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, but the in-form Dane will be favourite to pick up her second victory of the season.
"I was a little all over the place, hit some really awful tee shots and it is hard to score when you are not in the fairway but I kept grinding out there," she said.
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