Park showed maturity beyond her years in firing a 68

Teenager Angela Park birdied her last three holes to close in on a maiden LPGA win at the Evian Masters as the hopes of British success faltered.

The Brazilian, last year's LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year, showed her growing maturity as she shot a round of 68 to end round three with a one-shot lead.

Taiwan's Candie Kung lay second on 13 under after a joint best round of 67.

Britons Mhairi McKay, Rebecca Hudson and Becky Brewerton are one under after rounds of 69, 71 and 71 respectively.

Helen Alfredsson, the popular 43-year-old Swede, was in second place at halfway through the day, but a rollercoaster 71 - five birdies and four bogeys - saw her slip back into fourth place on 10 under par.

Another veteran, 2002 winner American Juli Inkster, 48, was in third place on 11 under after a 69.

And she could become the oldest LPGA winner if she does claim the title for a second time on Sunday.

However, world number one Lorena Ochoa, who defends the women's British Open at Sunningdale this week, dropped to six shots off the lead after a 70, and two-time former winner Annika Sorenstam was 11 strokes behind after a disappointing 73.

Park, who rolled in from 10 feet to snatch the lead at the last, said: "I have to be patient. I played pretty mediocre at the start but told myself to not to hurry anything and it paid off.

"I surprised myself by coming back so strong. But it was great that I managed to stay so positive."