Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist fired a three-under 69 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the LPGA Safeway Classic.
The Swede, a rookie on the US tour whose resume already includes this year’s LPGA Championship, had a two-round total of 10-under 134, with Japan’s Ai Miyazato and South Korea’s Lee Seon-hwa one shot back.
Taiwan’s Amy Hung was tied for 22nd place on four-under after shooting a second-round 67, while compatriot Candie Kung was tied for 37th spot after on two-under after a disappointing 76. World No. 2 Yani Tseng of Taiwan was tied 46th on one-under after a 75 on Saturday, while in tied 57th on even-par was Teresa Lu after a 70.
PHOTO: AP
“Very steady player,” Miyazato said of Nordqvist, and the difficult task of overtaking her.
Nordqvist, who played for Arizona State University in the US, rebounded from bogeys at the eighth and 14th holes with birdies.
“I had a really solid day. I hit my irons really well the first nine,” Nordqvist said.
“I didn’t really get the putts to drop the first couple of holes. After I three-putted from six feet on No. 8, I birdied nine and 10. I just kept hanging in there,” said Nordqvist, whose four-shot victory in the LPGA Championship gave her a major title in just her fifth professional start.
“I still feel more like a rookie than a major winner because I think I have a lot to learn,” said Nordqvist, who is playing just her 11th LPGA stroke-play event of the season. “I haven’t been out there that long and I think there are always things you can learn.”
Miyazato birdied three in a row from the eighth to claim her share of second with a 68, while Lee drained a birdie putt at the 18th to complete a 70 to share second on 135.
Lee, a two-time winner last year, has yet to capture a US title this season.
“My plan for tomorrow is to hit the fairways, hit the greens and make putts,” she said with a laugh.
Miyazato, who played in a group with Nordqvist in the opening round, won for the first time at the Evian Masters last month.
American Michele Redman posted a 69 and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen a 68 to sit tied on 136.
Overnight leader Beth Bader carded a 73 for 137, where she was joined by compatriots Natalie Gulbis (69) and Angela Stanford (71).
Threatening clouds and few heavy showers rolled over the course west of Portland.
Defending champion Cristie Kerr had a 70, while Michelle Wie shot a 71. The Solheim Cup teammates go into the final round on five-under.
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