England's Charley Hull is in with a fine chance of claiming her first major as she sits two shots off the lead at the ANA Inspiration going into Sunday's final round.

On a congested leaderboard, Scotland's Catriona Matthew is four off the pace with 18 holes to play after finishing in a share of 12th with a six-under tally of 210. The 46-year-old birdied her final hole in a two-under 70 and will need to mount a rousing last day charge at Rancho Mirage.

Meanwhile, Hull, the Kettering-born 20-year-old, finished her third round with four successive birdies in her three-under-par 69 to surge up the leaderboard and finish on eight-under, sitting firmly in contention in California.

Even if she does not go on to win, Hull is well-placed to record her best-ever major finish, having finished tied-seventh at the same tournament in 2014.

Hull is two shots behind 10-under-par frontrunner Lexi Thompson, who took her place at the top of the leaderboard thanks to an eagle on the 18th hole.

Thompson, who was joint overnight leader on seven-under, also carded three birdies and two bogeys in her 69 as she chases a second ANA Inspiration title.

She picked up four shots in the final four holes and knows that momentum could prove vital.

"It was a quick change out there with my last few holes, but it was a bit of a struggle my first 10," said Thompson. "Just on the greens, I struggled a bit, just putting a little timid, but to finish like that definitely turns around my confidence, and I feel really good going into tomorrow."

World number one Lydia Ko is ominously placed one shot behind Thompson on nine-under along with In Gee Chun and Ariya Jutanugarn, whose round of 67 was only bettered by two players in the field.

Ai Miyazato, who started the day alongside Thompson at the summit, is now two shots off the pace following her 71, while Michelle Wie and Suzann Pettersen are a shot further back on seven-under.