Women's world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa fired a
seven-under 65 to join Sophie Gustafson in the lead after three rounds of the
CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge.
Gustafson, who led after the first two rounds, posted a six-under 66 and along
with Ochoa shares a six-stroke lead at 16-under-par 200. They missed the 54-
hole scoring record by a single stroke.
Angela Stanford and Sun Young Yoo both posted three-under 69s Saturday and
share third place at minus-10.
Gustafson looked as though she was going to run away with the title on the
front nine. She poured in four birdies in a five-hole span from the second to
jump to 14-under. She led by three at that point.
The Swede pushed her lead to four strokes with a 20-foot birdie putt on the
10th at Blackhawk Country Club.
Meanwhile, Ochoa was playing steady golf. She birdied the fifth and sixth to
go with nine pars over the first 11 holes. Things started to change in Ochoa's
favor at the 12th.
Ochoa rolled in a seven-foot birdie effort, while Gustafson tripped to a
three-putt bogey and her lead was down to two. Ochoa made it two straight with
a 15-footer for birdie on 13.
The Mexican forged a tie for the lead with a 15-foot birdie putt on the 15th.
Both Ochoa and Gustafson birdied the par-three 16th to remain tied for the
lead at 15-under.
Gustafson carded her second straight birdie on the 17th, from four feet out,
to move one ahead of her playing partner. Ochoa erased that gap with a 16-foot
birdie putt on the 18th.
"I thought I played good. I didn't make too many mistakes," stated Gustafson.
Ochoa has struggled since winning in her homeland in late April. She has just
one top-five finish in 10 starts.
"Well, for sure I'm really pleased the way I played today," admitted Ochoa. "I
can't remember when was the last time I hit the ball so solidly. I think I had
18 birdie chances and didn't make any bogeys. I wanted to put myself in a good
position for Sunday to give myself a chance to win the tournament. I'm happy
I'm right up there. I know it's not going be easy, because Sophie and the
other players are really good."
Leta Lindley matched Ochoa's 66 to move into a share of fifth at nine-under-
par 207. She was joined there by Maria Hjorth (72), Paula Creamer (69) and
Morgan Pressel (67).
Christina Kim (65) and Amanda Blumenherst (67) are among five players tied for
ninth at minus-eight.
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