In search of her first major win, the 22-year-old birdied the first two holes of the third round to push her consecutive-birdie streak to eight.
Despite her drives ending up a ZIP code away from some of Korda’s bombs, Salas matched the young purebred blow for blow.
1 to set up an easy birdie, Salas responded by pouring in a 40-footer of her own.
While Korda lined up for short irons and flip wedges, Salas unsheathed hybrids and woods and smashed them onto the greens.
Nearly matching her compatriot’s 29 from yesterday afternoon, she plodded her way to six birdies and a front-nine score of 30.
When her ball chased a bit too far on the baked-out Zoysia, she was left with an awkward stance from which she couldn’t reach the green.
ANA Inspiration-winner Patty Tavatanakit reeled off five back-nine birdies to reach 10 under by day’s end.
Although they combined for just one birdie over the final nine holes, the lead never dipped below five.
Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing.