BEDMINSTER, New Jersey: Shanshan Feng snapped a run of 23 consecutive pars with a birdie at the 18th to reclaim the lead over a wave of South Korean challengers heading into Sunday’s final round of the US Women’s Open at Trump National.
China’s Feng broke a three-way tie with a three-foot birdie putt after missing chances from 10 feet and twice from 12 feet in the closing holes, posting a one-under 71 for a total of nine-under-par 207 at Trump National Golf Club.
Amy Yang and 17-year-old amateur Choi Hye-jin were tied one stroke back, with long-hitting fellow Korean Park Sung-hyun two further shots away.
Another three South Koreans, world number one Ryu So-yeon (71), Lee Mi-rim (67) and Lee Jeong-eun (73), were another stroke back at five-under.
Former champion Cristie Kerr shot 70 to stand as the leading American player at four under par, a total she shared with Spain’s Carlota Ciganda (72).
Feng, trying to complete a wire-to-wire victory, was frustrated by her putting until the par-five last.
“Putting didn’t really work today,” said Feng, winner of seven LPGA Tour events including the 2012 LPGA Championship. “I just couldn’t get the line and the speed together. And then I was like, ‘let’s go to Plan B.’
“Plan B ... I try to hit the ball closer to the holes so I don’t need to worry about making the putts. And 16 and 17 I hit great shots into the green but I guess they weren’t close enough so I still missed them.” — Reuters
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