Golf: Lydia Ko's struggles continue at LPGA's US Open to drop down leaderboard at year's second Major

Lydia Ko's struggles at the LPGA's US Open have continued, with disastrous third-round 76 sending her plummeting down the leaderboard at San Francisco.

Ko carded a five-over 76, including four bogeys, one double bogey and a lone birdie, to fall to nine-over par, 16 shots off the lead at the year's second Major. 

The Kiwi's tournament has been plagued by inaccuracy off the tee. In round three, she hit just five of 13 fairways, while her iron play was poor, achieving just six greens out of 18 in regulation, putting her on the backfoot for most of the round. 

The 24-year-old started her round in a share of 36th at four over and was immediately in reverse, with a bogey at the par-four second.

After four straight pars, Ko's only birdie of the day came at the par-four seventh to see her make the turn at four-over for the tournament.  

The back-nine has been the pitfall for Ko all tournament, recording four bogeys, two double bogeys and three birdies entering moving day, and her third round was no different. 

After a par at 10, Ko had a terrible four-hole stretch that saw her record back-to-back bogeys at 11 and 12, before a double bogey at the par three 13th. 

The Kiwi continued her struggles at the par-four 14th with her fourth bogey of the day to see her drop back to nine over. 

The world No.8 recovered to record four straight pars and end her round 16 shots off the leaders at nine-over. 

Ko sits in a six-way tie for 49, with American's Jenny Coleman, Stacey Lewis, Brittany Altomare and amateur Rachel Heck, Mexican Gaby Lopez and Thailand's Pajaree Anannarukarn.

American Lexi Thompson leads thet tournament after 72 holes at seven-under, one shot clear of Thailand's Yuka Saso.

American amateur Megha Ganne and Korean Jeongeun Lee are in a share of third at three under. Only eight players are under par for the tournament.