A strong finish on the front nine has put the team of Sarah Schmelzel and Albane Valenzuela one round from a litany of firsts. Schmelzel and Valenzuela shot a 2-under 68 in Saturday’s alternate-shot format to take the lead heading into the final day of the LPGA Dow Invitational at the Midland Country Club.

Sarah Schmelzel and Albane Valenzuela took the third-round lead Saturday in the Dow Championship, shooting a 2-under 68 in alternate-shot play to move into position for their first LPGA Tour victories.

American Sarah Schmelzel and Switzerland's Albane Valenzuela combined to post a two-under par 68 on Saturday that propelled them to a one-shot lead going into the final round of the LPGA Dow Championship pairs event.