Saturday, Jul. 11, 2009

Kerr takes lead into final round

McPherson, Creamer struggle

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Cristie Kerr is feeling a sense of calm only a former U.S. Women's Open champion could understand.>p>

Armed with the knowledge of what it takes to win the championship, the 2007 winner is set to make a push for another title. >p>

Kerr scrambled for a 1-over 72 Saturday and pulled away from struggling playing partner Paula Creamer and built a two-shot lead over Eun Hee Ji of South Korea after three rounds of the Women's Open. >p>

Kerr was the only player with a sub-par score - 2-under 211 - after three rounds on the narrow fairways and speedy, undulating greens of Saucon Valley Country Club. >p>

Now, Kerr, who won at Pine Needles in '07, is in a position to claim her second title in three years. She's looking forward to the fourth-round challenge and playing in the lead. >p>

``There really isn't a better place for me,'' the 12-time LPGA Tour winner said after two birdies and three bogeys. ``I love this golf course. >p>

``I feel good. I'm sure there's going to be some nerves in the morning. But I've been there. I know I can handle it.'' >p>

Futures Tour player Jean Reynolds is an unlikely challenger for the title despite two wins in the developmental tour this year. >p>

The 24-year-old from Georgia started two strokes back and was one off the lead before stumbling down the stretch. >p>

South Korea's In-Kyung Kim (72) and Hee Young Park (72), and Taiwan's Candie Kung (3-under 68) are tied for fifth at 3-over 216. Brittany Lincicome had a 2-over 73, Suzann Pettersen had a 1-over 72 and Kyeong Bae of South Korea had a 2-under 69 and are tied for eighth at 4-over 217 >p>

The wind was blowing at the Old Course in the Lehigh Valley, drying out the putting surfaces and adding speed to the testy, undulating greens. >p>

Some weren't so lucky, namely Paula Creamer. >p>

Creamer paired with second-round leader Kerr on Saturday, but fell from contention quickly. She had three bogeys on the front nine, a triple-bogey at 10 and a bogey at 11. She's at 6-over 219 after an 8-over 79. >p>

Creamer tried to get back into contention at No. 10, where the USGA used a front tee to make a drivable par-4. She took a chance, drove into a bunker, blasted over the green, then chipped short on the way to a triple-bogey 7. >p>

The 22-year-old knows she missed an opportunity to make a run at her first major title. >p>

``It was unfortunate. I just didn't have anything really going,'' she said. >p>

Conway native Kristy McPherson also faded from contention after firing 6-over 77. McPherson kicked off her round with a birdie, but made bogey on Nos. 2, 3, 7, 13 and 14, as well as a double-bogey 6 on No. 15.>p>

McPherson is tied for 36th, her worst performance in a major this year after a runner-up at the LPGA Kraft Nabisco and a tie for fifth at the McDonald's LPGA Championship.>p>

The focus Saturday was strictly on golf after a turbulent week during which the championship was overshadowed by a dispute between LPGA Tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens and more than a dozen top tour players who signed a letter calling for her resignation. >p>

The New York Times, citing a source, has reported that Bivens has decided to step down after the Open concludes.>p>