World No.1 Lydia Ko remains in prime position to claim a first Australian Open women’s golf crown with a share of the lead going into the final round.

The New Zealand teen carded a one-under-par 72 on Saturday in searing heat at Royal Melbourne to sit at seven under for the tournament.

She shares the lead with another teenager, Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, who had the same third-round score.

South Korea’s Amy Yang is third at six under after a 70, while Australia’s Katherine Kirk climbed up the leaderboard into a share of third at four under.

Kirk, who finished second at last week’s Ladies Masters on the Gold Coast, posted six birdies, including four in succession from the 13th to 16th holes, en route to a three-under round.

– AAP