Reid has been through so much in her career and as recently as a year ago, when she failed to get into the Solheim Cup, it seemed as if the six-time Ladies European Tour victor would not transfer her pedigree across the Atlantic when relocating to Florida.

Reid rolled in another birdie at the par-4 12th, her fourth birdie in five holes, to reach 19-under, boosting her advantage to four shots.

New York, United States-Mel Reid fired an eagle and three birdies in a five-under par 66 on Saturday to seize a one-shot lead going into the final round of the LPGA ShopRite Classic.

Asked what she learned from her mistakes on Sunday in Portland, Reid said: "Sometimes I get too quick and it kind of makes me quick on my swing, so I'll just take my time tomorrow I think".

England's Reid, who was one off the pace heading into the round, had 15-under par total at the Seaview resort in Galloway New Jersey, and was one in front of Americans Jennifer Song and Jennifer Kupcho, who both shot 65.

Reid smacked a 6-iron within 15 feet of the cup on the edge of the green to all-but seal the victory. "Yeah, just felt like I handled things a lot better today than I did the final round in Portland, so just absolutely made up to be holding the trophy".

Reid, a promising British amateur who played in the 2006 Curtis Cup and was the low amateur at the 2007 Women's British Open, had her personal life derailed in 2012 when her mother was killed in a vehicle crash near Munich while driving to watch her play a Ladies European Tour event.

A promising British amateur who played in the 2006 Curtis Cup and was low amateur at the 2007 Women's British Open, her personal life derailed in 2012 when her mother was killed in a auto crash near Munich while driving to watch her play a Ladies European Tour event.

"My shots were inconsistent but I finally improved my game toward the very end", said Hataoka, who posted five birdies and one bogey.

"I made a huge sacrifice moving to America, leaving my comfort zone, my friends and my family, and it's paid off".

"As long as you just keep your head down and doing the right things, good things will happen to good people". She closed with two birdies for a 68 to finish alone in second.

Third-round leader Nasa Hataoka was 12 under after a 70.

Defending champion Lexi Thompson, winless since the June event past year, was 6 under after a 68.

The tournament is being contested at 72 holes for only the second time since it began in 1986. The major KPMG Women's PGA Championship is next week at Aronimink outside Philadelphia.