The 22-year-old claimed the tournament lead while completing her wind-delayed second round before moving two shots in front of Norway's Suzann Pettersen in the third.

Thompson is at 13-under par heading into tomorrow's final round.

It is the third time Thompson has held the lead after 36 holes at the ANA Inspiration.

In 2016 she finished fifth following a disappointing final round, while in 2014, she went on to win her first major championship.

"It was a little up and down, but I made some good putts when I came back out here this morning and it definitely brings me a lot more confidence," Thompson said.

"I wasn't really looking at the scoreboard.

"All I heard was cheers back there, though.

"I'm just trying to focus on my own game, so you can't really let that get into your mind."

Fifty-six players completed their second rounds at the first women’s major of the year following weather disruptions earlier in the week.

Pettersen shot a third-round 68 to reach 11-under while Australia's Minjee Lee joined a South Korean trio of seven-time major winner Inbee Park, So Yeon Ryu and Mi Jung Hur at 10-under.

Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr of the US, world number two Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand and France's Karine Icher are five shots behind Thompson at eight-under.

Jutanugarn appeared to play herself out of contention with three bogeys in five holes early in the third round, but the Thai star produced three birdies and an eagle in the final eight holes to stay in the hunt.

World number one and defending champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand shot a 71 to move to five-under par.

England's Charley Hull saw her chances of mounting a second successive title challenge at the ANA Inspiration fade.

The 21-year-old finished second last year but her round of 71 today leaves her on five-under with Ko.