Kuala Lumpur: Reigning champion Na Yeon Choi will have one eye on the leaderboard tomorrow as she attempts to complete a successful title defence at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
The South Korean sensation registered a three-under 68 to complete a marathon third round on Saturday, preserving her two-stroke overnight lead on 13-under 200 as inclement weather forced a 4 hour and 40 minutes delay at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
Choi, who held off a spirited challenge from world number one Yani Tseng to win the title last year, will have to deep dig into her reserves tomorrow as only four strokes separate the top five players on the leaderboard in the US$1.9 million event.
Trailing closely is Choi’s compatriot Inbee Park, who finished strongly with a superb six-under 65, draining six birdies on her inward nine to leap into contention. Joint first round leader Karrie Webb of Australia nailed a 40-foot bomber on the last to cap a solid round of 68, one stroke ahead of Japanese startlet Ai Miyazato (68) and Suzann Pettersen (70) of Norway, who were tied for fourth on eight-under 205.
The trio of American Paula Creamer (70), Scottish veteran Catriona Matthew(70) and Japanese Mika Miyazato (71) were level on seven-under 206, one shot better than lanky Brittany Lang (70).
Choi admits that her slim advantage was a little comforting and she was feeling under pressure ahead of Sunday’s final round. “The two-shot lead is almost the same as last year when I had a single stroke lead. Eventhough I cannot control the other players’ scores, I’m going to watch the leaderboard tomorrow because I have to know what is the situation,” said Choi, who is gunning for her seventh LPGA title this week.
“There are a lot of good players behind me now. To be honest, I don’t like being target, I’d rather be leading the chase. It’s important that I focus and play my game, take one shot at a time.”
The US Women’s Open winner was pleased with her return of four birdies and a sole bogey on the 1oth. “I went for a safety first approach and gained some good momentum after birdieing the 12th. I am really glad to be able to finish today and to start with a clean slate tomorrow and go lower like my earlier rounds,” added Choi.
Park sprung alive after an average front nine, birdieing six out of her last seven holes to move into contention. “I was not discouraged because that’s the way I have been playing all week. “I just knew that that the birdies will come if I gave myself chances,” added the LPGA’s 2012 Money List leader.
“I’m trying not to think about winning just yet. I just want to play my game, trusting myself shot by shot,” stated the Evian Masters champion Park, admitting that the downcast conditions after the prolonged delay was a welcome respite from yesterday’s heat.
Back to back bogeys from the 11th almost derailed Webb’s onslaught but the Aussie veteran bounced back strongly with a great finish to compliment her flawless front nine. “I feel great about my chances. The putt on the last gets me that little bit closer. Then again, it will depend on where Na Yeon finishes.”
Highly rated Thai amateur Ariya Jutanugarn (61) brightened her chances of clinching the best amateur prize, mixing four birdies against one bogey to move into a share of tenth while national amateur Aretha Pan Herng scrambled through an unlucky round of four-under 75 to remain the best placed domestic challenger on T56.
“Just not hitting the fairways enough and not giving myself the opportunity to hit greens in regulations. A few bad breaks here and there disrupted my concentration,” said the 18-year-old Aretha, whose card for the day included one double bogey, five bogeys and three birdies.
Leading third round scores
200 – Na Yeon Choi (KOR) (65-67-68)
202 – Inbee Park (KOR) 69-68-65
204 – Karrie Webb (AUS) 65-71-68
205 – Ai Miyazato (JPN) 68-69-68; Suzann Pettersen (NOR) 71-64-70
206 – Paula Creamer (USA) 69-67-70, Catriona Matthew (SCO) 68-68-70; Mika Miyazato (JPN) 66-69-71
207 – Brittany Lang (USA) 69-68-70
208 – So Yeon Ryu (KOR) 68-73-67; Ariya Jutanugarn (A) (THA) 69-72-67; Sun Young Youu (KOR) 66-70-72, Lindsey Wright (AUS) 70-66-72
