Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, world No. 1, closed in on her third tournament victory in three weeks when she grabbed a one-shot lead in the third-round of the LPGA Thailand yesterday.
A four-foot eagle putt on her finishing hole on the Pattaya Old Course at Siam Country Club carded the Taiwanese star a two--under 70 and lifted her to a nine-under 207 total, one better than Michelle Wie (71) and second-round leader Kim In-kyung (72).
“It was very exciting finishing eagle, that’s for sure,” Tseng said. “Nice to have a one-shot lead over [Kim] and Michelle.”
Photo: AFP
Tseng double-bogeyed the second hole, but made up a shot by the turn. Three birdies spanning holes 10 to 15 put her in front by two, but they were offset by consecutive bogeys on 16 to 17, and the closing eagle saved her round.
“It was better for me today,” she said. “A tough start, but I had a good comeback and I stayed -really patient. I don’t put too much tension on myself. I wanted to stay relaxed. Don’t be afraid if I miss a shot. If I bogey a hole, I’ll birdie the next hole. Keep smiling and relax.”
Tseng became the world No. 1 when she won the Australian Open by seven strokes then the Australian Ladies Masters by four shots last weekend.
“It would be great [to win three in a row],” she said. “Right now, I’m prepared and not afraid when I’m on top. I know how to win a tournament. I’m going to go enjoy the tournament like today.”
Wie compensated for four bogeys with five birdies, finishing better than she started.
“On the front nine I putted horribly, couldn’t make a single thing, but on the back nine I put myself together,” Wie said. “Tomorrow, hopefully I’ll learn from my mistakes.”
Kim’s round was much like Wie’s. Her one-shot lead to begin the day evaporated in the humidity by the fifth hole with her third straight bogey, but she closed with birdies on three of her last four holes to remain in contention.
“I just had a really rough start, like yesterday,” Kim said. “I had the same mindset through all 18, very relaxed. I didn’t really do that very well on the front nine. I tried to play smart on the back, dropped some putts with a lot of break. I feel much better on the back nine.”
American Paula Creamer (70) was alone in fourth at seven-under and Kerrie Webb (68) was fifth at six-under.
Hur Mi-jung (68) of South Korea followed at five-under, then a group of four at four- under included former world No. 1 Juli Inkster (73).
Defending champion Ai Miyazato (73) was at one-over, 10 shots behind.
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