Lydia Ko five shots off leader heading into final round at LPGA's Kia Classic

Lydia Ko is in the hunt going into the final round of the Kia Classic in California, five shots behind the leader after a five-under day three.

Starting the day at -4 for the tournament, Ko sank three birdies in her first five holes, before a bogey on the sixth temporarily halted the Kiwi's momentum.

A birdie on the seventh however, would see Ko finish her front nine at -3, before starting out the back nine with another birdie on the 10th.

One final birdie on the 13th saw Ko drop to -9 for the tournament, finishing her third round at -5, sitting in a tie for ninth place heading into the final round tomorrow.

Ko trails the leader, South Korea's Inbee Park, by five shots going into the final day in Carlsbad.