Dubai, United Arab Emirates (My Sportsbook) - Annika Sorenstam stumbled to a three-over 75 Saturday to slide four strokes behind Anja Monke at the Dubai Masters.

Sorenstam, the two-time defending champion, stands at five-under-par 211 after three rounds of her last event before stepping away from the game.

Monke carded her second four-under 68 of the week and stands at nine-under-par 207 after 54 holes. She is two strokes clear of the field.

Iben Tinning (70) and Veronica Zorzi (71) share second place at minus-seven. Sophie Gustafson fired a six-under 66 to climb into a tie for fourth, where she stands alongside Solheim Cup teammate Laura Davies (71) at minus-six.

Sorenstam was joined in sixth place at Emirates Golf Club by Sophie Giquel, Julie Greciet and Nikki Garrett.

After carding a bogey-free 66 on Friday, Sorenstam collected just one birdie in the third round. That birdie came on the par-four second and moved her to minus-nine.

Sorenstam gave that shot back with a bogey on the par-three fourth. She made the turn in minus-seven after making bogey on the ninth. Sorenstam made it two straight bogeys as she dropped a shot on the 10th. Her final bogey came at the par-four 16th.

Monke got off to a quick start with birdies on two and three. She has played those two holes in five-under for the week.

The German birdied No. 6 to move to minus-eight. Monke faltered to a double- bogey on the par-three 11th, but rebounded with birdies at 11, 16 and 18 to take the third-round lead.