Steinhauer's round included an eagle at the 15th

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-7 S Steinhauer (US)
-4 J Inkster (US), L Ochoa (Mex), K Stupples (GB), S Gustafson (Swe)
Selected others:
Level A Sorenstam (Swe)
+1 L Davies (Eng)
+4 M Wie (US)

American Sherri Steinhauer shot a 66 to move three clear of the field after the third round of the Women's British Open at Royal Lytham and St Anne's.

The two-time winner had started the day five shots behind overnight leader Juli Inkster, who had two double-bogeys in her round of 74.

Inkster is one of four players tied for second, along with Britain's Karen Stupples, who is four under after a 70.

Also on that mark is Lorena Ochoa, whose 65 is the lowest score this week.

Interview: USA's Sherri Steinhauer

Interview: England's Karen Stupples

Sophie Gustafson, who had five birdies in her 69, is the other player in the second group.

Being a front runner is difficult and I know I'll be nervous Sherri Steinhauer

Her fellow Swede Annika Sorenstam had a disappointing 73 after bogeying the final three holes and the world number one is now seven shots off the lead.

Britain's Laura Davies also had a 73 that left her on one over par while Michelle Wie shot a level-par 70 to lie four over and 11 shots adrift.

Inkster had led the field by three at the halfway stage and began her third round by holing a 30-foot putt for the first of her four birdies.

But double bogeys at the long seventh and the par-four 10th cost her dearly and she also dropped a shot at the last.

Steinhauer's round included four birdies and an eagle at the long 15th.

The 43-year-old is looking for her second major success after winning the Du Maurier Classic in 1992.

Her two previous victories in the British Open came in 1998 and 1999 before the tournament was given major status.

Coming back to the British always makes me feel relaxed and I seem to produce my best golf Karen Stupples

"I don't want to start thinking about winning yet," she insisted.

"Being a front runner is difficult and I know I'll be nervous tomorrow. But I'll just keep talking to myself and try to concentrate on taking one shot at a time."

Stupples, who won the tournament at Sunningdale two years ago, is well placed to repeat that victory after her third round, which contained three birdies.

"It would be fantastic to win again," said the Florida-based 33-year-old.

"Coming back to the British always makes me feel relaxed and I seem to produce my best golf.

"I've been with my family all week and it's been real fun."