Piccio moves up to joint 7th

Mia Piccio birdied three of the last six holes for a 69 and moved up to joint seventh with erstwhile leader Dottie Ardina after the third round of the Toyota Danielle Downely Classic at the Brook-Lea Country Club in Rochester, New York Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Along with her 72 and 70 in the first two rounds, Piccio tallied a three-day total of 211, seven shots off American Annie Park who also carded a 69.

Piccio made a birdie on hole No. 4 but failed to sustain her drive after a bogey on the par-3 ninth off the bunker.

A long birdie putt on the 13th breathed life to her round as she added two more on Nos. 16 and 17 for a closing 33.

With a three-day total of 204, Park stayed three shots ahead of fellow American Vicky Hurst, who shot a 67 for a 207 while Marina Choi, also of the US, fired a second 67 to seize solo third at 208.

Park bounced back from a mediocre 36 start with birdies on Nos. 10, 11 and 15 for that 69 as she primed up for a breakthrough win in only her fifth tournament as a pro.

Ardina, who had an opening 66 but tumbled with a second round 73, failed to recover her form, finishing with two-birdie, two-bogey stint for a 72 and a 211.