Kristy McPherson of the US, boosted by three consecutive birdies from the 10th, held her nerve to snatch a one-shot lead after Saturday’s third round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
On a difficult day for scoring at a sun-baked Mission Hills Country Club, the 27-year-old shot a two-under 70.
Hunting her first LPGA Tour title in her third year on the circuit, the pony-tailed McPherson just missed a birdie putt at the par-five last to post an eight-under total of 208.
Former US Women’s Open champion Cristie Kerr carded a matching 70 to lie second with first-round leader Brittany Lincicome (70) a further stroke back at six-under.
Mexican world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa, eight strokes off the pace overnight, birdied the last for a 72 and a two-over total of 218. Taiwan’s Yani Tseng shot a three-over 75 and Candie Kung shot a two-over 74 and both are tied for 20th place on 219.
It was another day to forget, though, for American teenager Michelle Wie after a second successive 81.
The 19-year-old Hawaiian drove out-of-bounds on the opening hole and hit only five fairways out of 14 to finish at 17-over 233.
■HOUSTON OPEN
REUTERS, HOUSTON, TEXAS
Bo Van Pelt of the US took a one-shot lead at the weather-hit Houston Open on Saturday, before darkness fell and third-round play was suspended.
Van Pelt followed birdies at the second and fourth holes with two more at the par-three seventh and par-five eighth to stand four-under for the day and 11-under in total.
Knotted at 10-under were former champion Fred Couples, who had completed 10 holes, Briton Paul Casey and Americans Tommy Armour III and rookie Colt Knost, all through eight.
■PORTUGAL OPEN
AFP, ESTORIL, PORTUGAL
Paul Broadhurst will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Portugal Open, but it was Maarten Lafeber’s remarkable round of 64 that dominated Saturday’s third round.
The 43-year-old Broadhurst carded a 67 to stand at seven-under, with Lafeber, Jamie Donaldson and David Lynn all tucked in behind.
Lafeber completed the back nine in 28 shots, just short of equaling the European Tour record of 27.
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