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Sorenstam stalks the leader in US Open

The pressure of the US Women's Open was creeping up on Hilary Lunke from all sides Saturday.

She made two straight bogeys to fall into a share of the lead, and faced a downhill putt from 10 feet on the par-3 15th to save par. Even more intimidating was seeing Annika Sorenstam post a 4-under 67, leaving her only two strokes behind.

The 24-year-old with a master's degree from Stanford passed her first big test.

Lunke made the clutch par, then got a lucky bounce and made birdie on the next hole to shoot 3-under 68, giving her a one-stroke lead going over former Curtis Cup teammate Angela Stanford going into the final round at Pumpkin Ridge.

Sorenstam had only the second bogey-free round on the Witch Hollow course and moved up 22 places into a tie for third, just three strokes behind. She was tied with Jeong Jang (69), Mhari McKay (75) and 17-year-old Aree Song (68).

"I know how to react under these conditions," Sorenstam said. "I'm happy where I'm at. I would like to be in my shoes tomorrow, and play my golf."

Lunke was at 5-under 208, and will try to become the first rookie since Pak Se-ri in the 1998 LPGA Championship to make her first victory a major.

She was one of only six players who remained under par on an overcast day that sent other players spiraling out of contention.

Wie off course

Michelle Wie's father retracted his claim that Danielle Ammaccapane pushed his 13-year-old daughter, saying there was no contact during the first round of the US Women's Open.

"Michelle just told me that her description of the incident was incorrect," B.J. Wie said Saturday. "There was no pushing or physical contact."

B.J. Wie, also his daughter's caddie, said Friday that Ammaccapane pushed or bumped Wie on the 14th hole. He said the 16-year LPGA Tour veteran later berated the teenager in the scoring tent, which he described as "nasty."

Michelle Wie shot a 5-over 76 on Saturday.

Ammaccapane had a 73 and, after spending nearly 20 minutes in the scoring tent, hurried off the course without comment. She stopped briefly to sign an autograph for a fan, who said "Hang in there, Danielle."

"I was very upset and disappointed after being accused of something that was not true," Ammaccapane said. "Throughout my career, I have always played the game with the utmost respect, professionalism and integrity. I appreciate Mr. Wie's honesty today in setting the record straight."

Ammaccapane went on to say she respected Wie's game.

USGA executive director David Fay told NBC Sports that he thought the whole matter was "much ado about nothing much."

But he did say Ammaccapane gave the teenager a "talking to" in the scoring tent.

Fay also said the issue could make the association examine whether parents should serve as caddies.
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