CARLSBAD, US: Cristie Kerr drained two birdies in her first six holes en route to a two-under 70 to grab a share of the lead after the third round of the Kia Classic yesterday.
Lizette Salas is the co-leader with fellow American Kerr after posting a three-under 69 to reach 10-under 206 in the LPGA Tour event at the Park Hyatt Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, California. Salas is seeking her first win on the American Tour. “I have been hitting it pretty fine. I am an adrenaline player, once I get it going I get confident,” said veteran Kerr, who is aiming for her 17th US title.
Second-round leader Dori Carter stumbled to a two-over 74 to drop to eight under. She was joined in third place by Japan’s Ayako Uehara (67), Feng Shanshan of China (69) and Swede Anna Nordqvist (67).
Stacy Lewis bogeyed three of the last five holes en route to shooting one-over 73. Lewis fell into a tie for seventh at seven-under 209, where she stands alongside Ji Eun-Hee (65), Lexi Thompson (70) and Chella Choi (70). Kerr opened with four straight pars before dropping in back-to-back birdie chances at five and six to get within one of the lead.AFP
