EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — Juli Inkster had a 3-under 69 yesterday for a two-shot lead and Michelle Wie ballooned to an 84 after the third round of the Evian Masters.

The 47-year-old Inkster is vying to become the oldest player to win an LPGA Tour event. She finished at 6-under 210 on a tough day for scoring because of swirling winds, tricky flag positions and difficult greens. Only seven players broke par.

"I played very well," said Inkster, who had five birdies and two bogeys. "I'm driving the ball well, I hit good irons and good wedges and I'm putting good."

The 17-year-old Wie had the worst round of the day, shooting 12-over par to languish in 69th place at 12-over 228. She had four double bogeys, five bogeys and one birdie in her round.

"It was frustrating," Wie said. "My body would not do what my mind was telling it to do. I felt a little out of whack."

Wie, who is recovering from wrist injuries, shot a 71 on Friday. She had gone 24 consecutive rounds without breaking par. Yesterday, Wie hit only three of 14 fairways, five of 18 greens and had 32 putts.

"That is what happens when you recover, you have some bad days and you have some good days," she said. "But I'm still going to take some positives out of it and work on it tomorrow. It was a very unfortunate round."

Jeong Jang of South Korea is second after a 72, followed another shot back by Sophie Gustafson of Sweden (72), Ji-Yai Shin of South Korea (70) and Diana D'Alessio of the United States (76).

Two-time winner Annika Sorenstam (74), Natalie Gulbis (73) and Il-Mi Chung (70) were four strokes behind Inkster.