RANCHO MIRAGE, California (Reuters) -- South Korea's Pak Se-ri moved into a tie for the lead at the Kraft Nabisco Championship with Norway's Suzann Pettersen on Saturday, putting her within touching distance of a career Grand Slam.
Five-times major winner Pak shot a 70 in the third round of the LPGA's first major of the season, a stroke better than Pettersen's 71.
The pair share the lead at four under par 212, a shot better off than Meaghan Francella and joint overnight leader Paula Creamer on 213.
Mexico's Lorena Ochoa, who started the day tied for the lead with Creamer, slumped to a horror 77 that included a quadruple-bogey at the par three 17th.
Pak, who will enter the LPGA Hall of Fame at the end of this her 10th season on the Tour, needs only the Kraft Nabisco to complete the career Grand Slam of all four majors.
"This is one title that I would love to win," she said after a round of four birdies, including one at the last from 35 feet.
"This is going to be a special year for me, and to win this major would be the perfect celebration."
Pak has already won three LPGA Championships -- including last year's -- as well as the U.S. and British opens.
Pettersen, the 2001 French Open winner, has been hampered by injuries on her four years on the LPGA circuit but is now getting back to full fitness.
"It's going to be a tough race, but whoever is the most patient tomorrow will win," she said.
Mexican Ochoa, who would take world No.1 ranking from Annika Sorenstam if she wins on Sunday, slipped five shots off the lead thanks to a nightmare at the 17th.
The 25-year-old hit a tree, chipped over the green, duffed her third shot and then hit the next to 45-feet and three-putted.
"It would be nice to win a major with a quadruple-bogey on the card," she said, somehow managing to smile.
"I'm just really sorry about that one hole. But at least I am not completely out of it. I'll try and forget today and give it everything tomorrow."
Copyright 2007 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Five-times major winner Pak shot a 70 in the third round of the LPGA's first major of the season, a stroke better than Pettersen's 71.
The pair share the lead at four under par 212, a shot better off than Meaghan Francella and joint overnight leader Paula Creamer on 213.
Mexico's Lorena Ochoa, who started the day tied for the lead with Creamer, slumped to a horror 77 that included a quadruple-bogey at the par three 17th.
Pak, who will enter the LPGA Hall of Fame at the end of this her 10th season on the Tour, needs only the Kraft Nabisco to complete the career Grand Slam of all four majors.
"This is one title that I would love to win," she said after a round of four birdies, including one at the last from 35 feet.
"This is going to be a special year for me, and to win this major would be the perfect celebration."
Pak has already won three LPGA Championships -- including last year's -- as well as the U.S. and British opens.
Pettersen, the 2001 French Open winner, has been hampered by injuries on her four years on the LPGA circuit but is now getting back to full fitness.
"It's going to be a tough race, but whoever is the most patient tomorrow will win," she said.
Mexican Ochoa, who would take world No.1 ranking from Annika Sorenstam if she wins on Sunday, slipped five shots off the lead thanks to a nightmare at the 17th.
The 25-year-old hit a tree, chipped over the green, duffed her third shot and then hit the next to 45-feet and three-putted.
"It would be nice to win a major with a quadruple-bogey on the card," she said, somehow managing to smile.
"I'm just really sorry about that one hole. But at least I am not completely out of it. I'll try and forget today and give it everything tomorrow."
Copyright 2007 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
1 comment:
she is a beautiful
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