Morgan Pressel of the US holed a six-foot putt for eagle at the long 18th to burst out of a logjam and take the third-round lead at the Evian Masters on Saturday.
The Florida 22-year-old fired a 67 for 11-under 205 and edged into a two-shot lead over two South Koreans.
Shin Ji-yai, who held the world No.1 ranking for seven weeks earlier this season, had a 68 and Jang Jeong, the 2005 Women’s British Open Champion, fired a 70.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Pressel, who won a major — the Kraft Nabisco Championship — as an 18-year-old, shared the lead after her opening 66 and her third round was highlighted by four birdies and the eagle that came courtesy of a superb hybrid second shot that landed six feet from the pin at the 18th.
“I’ve added 20 yards length this year thanks to working with my coach, Adam Scriber, and getting a longer Callaway driver,” she said. “It’s been two years hard slog and frustrating at times, but it’s definitely been worth it. It would be great to win tomorrow. We all love this tournament — one of the best.”
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng shot a 70 in her third round for a five-under total, while compatriot Candie Kung carded a 69 for one-under. Taiwan’s other two contenders were both over par, with Teresa Lu on one-over after a 72, while Amy Hung’s 74 left her back on six-over.
Alexis Thompson, the 15-year-old American playing in her third professional event, had set her sights on a top 10 finish after a third-round 67 that ended with a tap-in putt for eagle at the long 18th.
On eight-under and in a share of fourth place, her goal is now even higher.
Tenth at the US Women’s Open two weeks ago, Thompson, with dad, Scott, on the bag, lives in Florida and is home schooled.
“I will be playing in three more events this year, but I’ve not even thought about joining a Tour full-time,” she said. “At the moment, it is just one tournament at a time. It’s been an awesome experience being here at Evian and today I played really good, with five birdies and the eagle. I had a 198-yard second shot at the last and hit it with a five-iron to just a few feet. It was the perfect way to finish.”
Shin had a solid round of five birdies to raise her hopes of a victory that could move her back to the head of the world rankings, while Jang, who has had a number of injury setbacks, had two birdies.
“It would be great to win here,” said Shin, who won numerous events in South Korea before joining the LPGA Tour. “I played great today.”
Brittany Lincicome of the US leapt up the leaderboard with a joint best of the tournament 65 and was another in joint fourth on eight-under. She started with a bogey, but hit back with six birdies and an eagle at the par-four 16th, where she holed her second shot with a wedge. At the short 17th she nearly did it again when her tee shot landed past the hole and screwed back to within a foot.
“The eagle was fun and then to nearly have a hole-in-one was a great feeling,” said Lincicome, who won a major — the Kraft Nabsico Championship — last year. “Today just felt so good and I just wish I could play like that all year round. Hopefully, I can keep it going tomorrow. This is easily my best performance here and it’s partly because you begin to get to know the course better each year.”
France’s Gwladys Nocera, second overnight, slipped back with a disappointing 76 for a three-under total.
In the last group out, the 35-year-old former European No. 1 managed just one birdie — at the 12th — and had four bogeys.
“It just wasn’t my day today, but it is still great to play in front of so many home supporters and I hope I can do well tomorrow,” said Nocera, who lives in Gland near Geneva and practices at Evian.
Additional reporting by Staff Writer
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