US Women’s Open champion Paula Creamer carded a six-under 66 on Friday to claim a one-shot lead over Norwegian Suzann Pettersen in the LPGA Lorena Ochoa Invitational.
Creamer birdied two of the final three holes at Guadalajara Country Club for a 10-under total of 134.
Pettersen posted a 65 for 135, one shot in front of Stacy Lewis who carded a 69 for 136.
Taiwan’s Candie Kung followed up her first-round 71 with a 70 to lie seven shots behind the leader on three-under 141, while compatriot Yani Tseng also carded a 70 for a two-over 146.
“I’m pleased with the way I’m hitting the ball and I’m putting very well,” Creamer said. “Consistently, I’m rolling the putts the way that I want to and that’s all I can ask for, [is] to give myself as many opportunities as I can.”
Creamer was runner-up last year behind Michelle Wie, who withdrew on Thursday with a back injury after a disappointing first-round 78.
“Coming in second last year, I definitely wanted to come back and give myself a good chance to win,” Creamer said.
Former world No. 1 Ochoa, who retired earlier this year, but is making a cameo appearance in her namesake event, followed her first-round 74 with a 71 that left her in 26th place.
“I’m not going to say that I don’t have chances anymore but I guess right now, it’s out of my hands what the other players do,” Ochoa said.
Overnight leader Cristie Kerr followed her tournament-record 64 with a 76 that included two double-bogeys and was tied for 14th.
Pettersen, meanwhile, birdied six holes on the back nine, including the last.
“I gave myself some really good chances and made some good putts,” said Pettersen, who matched South Korea’s Meena Lee for the best round of the day.
“Finally, I’m getting the ball in the hole. So obviously that’s going to help the scorecard,” Pettersen added.
She has 10 top-five finishes this season, but hasn’t won.
“It has been a great year for me,” Pettersen said. “I’ve been very consistent, which is what I’m looking for. Obviously, I would like to have some top finishes, but at the same time, being there week in, week out, it shows you that your game is really good.”
“It’s just a matter of time before I can eventually get it all together and wrap it up,” Pettersen said.
Lewis closed with a bogey, ending a run of holes without a bogey at 78 — the longest on the LPGA Tour this year.
Lewis was to play in a group with Creamer and Pettersen yesterday.
“I like being the underdog,” Lewis said. “I like not having the spotlight on me because people don’t expect me to win.”
Lee was in a group of six players on 137, along with Japanese star Ai Miyazato (69), Spain’s Azahara Munoz (67), France’s Karine Icher (67), South Korean Kim In-kyung (68) and Australian Katherine Hull (69).
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
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