Lorena Ochoa is atop the leaderboard again. "My way is being aggressive, so that’s what I’m going to do all the way to the end," the 25-year-old Mexican star said after shooting a 5-under-par 67 Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over South Korean rookie In-Kyung Kim after three rounds of the Wegmans LPGA.
"It was one of those days that everything is easy — hitting the driver good and giving myself a lot of birdie chances," she said. "Once you’re playing good, you just need to be aggressive. It’s bad when you start thinking too much and you try to play conservative. … I make mistakes when I don’t play aggressive." Ah Lorena there are many here among us who have seen you make mistakes regardless of how you play.
Ms. Kim , a 19 year old rookie whose best finish was a tie for fourth at last months Corning Classic, made a 25 foot birdie putt on the 17th hole for a 71 and an 8 under total of 208. "If I play my best, I don’t think I’m going to have any regrets," she said. "I don’t think I’m afraid to fail. … I just feel very calm. " Admirable sentiment, but then again calm is easy immediately after the third round before one has had time to ponder the upcoming fourth round. Aaron Baddeley was very calm after the third round at Oakmont as I recall.
Cristie Kerr, the first round leader, recovered from Fridays 75 with a 2 under 70 leaving her alone in third place at 5 under par, four shots out of the lead. "They have a saying in a four-day tournament — you play three days against the course and one day against your competitors," Kerr said. "I like my position. And if I keep playing well, it’s going to be tough for them." Lest anyone think four shots is too many back need only look back to 2005 when Ochoa rallied from five back with seven holes to play to beat Paula Creamer by four shots.
Kerr was one ahead of Lindsey Wright (72), Mi Hyun Kim (75) of South Korea, A.J. Eathorne (69) and Angela Stanford (73). Stanford, whose sole victory came at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2003, briefly took the lead at 9 under but closed with three bogeys and a double-bogey. Defending champion Jeong Jang shot a 71 to get to 1 under.
Look for a fun afternoon, there are lots of players close enough to the lead to put some heat on the leaders. When those leaders are a nineteen year old rookie and the worlds number one player with a history of coughing up the lead in the final round interesting entertainment can ensue. Especially on the tree lined course that is Locust Hills, which is not very long at all, but has all kinds of trouble. Just ask Ms. Stanford how those last few holes played yesterday.