Kerr throws away big lead in Kia Classic

CARLSBAD, California — Cristie Kerr blew a five-stroke lead in the Kia Classic on Saturday to set up a final-round showdown at Aviara Golf Club.

A day after shooting an 8-under 64 to open the big lead, Kerr had a 75 to drop a stroke behind playing partner Lizette Salas, Eun-Hee Ji and In-Kyung Kim.

Kerr was tied with Caroline Hedwall, Wei-Ling Hsu and Cindy LaCrosse, and four players were another shot back in the final event before the major ANA Inspiration next week at Mission Hills.

“There is still [today],” Kerr said. “Somebody else has got to sleep with the lead.”

Kerr, 40, had a double bogey on the par-4 15th after snap-hooking a drive into the trees, and hitting a hybrid off a cart path.

“I just didn’t have it,” Kerr said. “I’ve got to go work on my game a little bit. It’s kind of been a little bit of the story this year, a little bit of inconsistency. I’ve just got to be grateful I’m only one back with a whole new Sunday.”

The 2015 winner at Aviara, Kerr followed the double bogey with a two-putt birdie on the short par-4 16th and had a bogey on the par-4 18th.

“Mentally, just wasn’t quite as sharp. My swing wasn’t quite as sharp,” Kerr said. “I mean, every putt I hit bounced horribly. A lot of putts didn’t have a chance to go in the hole. I don’t know why it was different today on the greens.”

Ji had a 67 to match Salas (69) and Kim (69) at 11-under 205.

“The rough is really hard out there, so I try to keep in my fairway and try to keep it on the green,” Ji said. “I really focus on that.” Salas had a chance to pull away, but missed birdie putts of 11⁄2 feet on 16 and 21⁄2 feet on the par-5 17th.

“I will admit there were a little nerves in there,” said Salas, the former Southern California player from Azusa.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in this position. But I was having fun out there, just taking what I could get. I’ve got a mix of luck and momentum going. A lot of could haves, but I’m not going to dwell on that. I’m fortunate to be in this position again and will give it my all [today].”