Thompson has two 67s to take control in desert
Lexi Thompson excelled on an extra-long day at the ANA Inspiration, and she put herself in prime position to play for her second major title.
Thompson claimed the tournament lead at Rancho Mirage while completing her wind-delayed second round Saturday before moving two shots ahead of Norway’s Suzann Pettersen with a third-round, five-under-par 67. After playing 28 holes, Thompson is at 13-under 203 heading into Sunday’s final round.
“I struggled a little bit off the tee and had a few more rough shots than I wanted, but you can’t ever complain about a five-under round,” Thompson said.
The 22-year-old Thompson’s victory here in 2014 is her only previous major victory, but the American excels on the Dinah Shore Course at Mission Hills Country Club.
She smashed her drives on the way to six birdies in the third round, keeping a competitive field squarely behind her.
“I just love this golf course,” Thompson said. “I get to hit a lot of drivers, and it just sets up nicely for me all over.”
Pettersen shot a thirdround 68 to reach 11 under, while Australia’s Minjee Lee joined a South Korean trio — Inbee Park, So Yeon Ryu and Mi Jung Hur — at 10under 206. Michelle Wie, Cristie Kerr, world No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn and France’s Karine Icher are five shots behind Thompson at eight under.
Kang’s lead cut to three in Houston
Sung Kang shot a oneunder 71 as his six-shot lead shrank to three over Rickie Fowler after the third round of the Houston Open.
Looking for his first PGA Tour victory, Kang is at 17under 199. Fowler made up the margin at one point, but he bogeyed the last hole, three-putting for a 67. He has a Tour career-best 22 birdies through three rounds.
Behind Kang and Fowler are Russell Henley at 13 under and Luke List at 12 under. No one else is within eight shots of Kang in this final tuneup for the Masters.
Kang, the 29-year-old South Korean who entered the week ranked No. 202 in the world, could earn an invitation to Augusta National with a win.
Champions
Gene Sauers shot a three-under 63 to take a oneshot lead after the second round of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic at Biloxi, Miss.
The 54-year-old Sauers started the day three shots behind leader Joe Durant at Fallen Oak, but moved up the leaderboard with five birdies and an eagle on the front nine. He made bogey on No. 10, but recovered with three birdies over the final eight holes. He’s at 12 under for the tournament.
Defending tournament champion Miguel Angel Jimenez shot a 66 and is alone in second place, one shot behind Sauers. Glen Day (67) and Durant (69) are both three shots off the lead.
John Daly was in contention after a 69 on Friday, but faded with a 73.