Swede takes lead by 3 shots at LPGA major
Pernilla Lindberg took advantage of playing partner Sung Hyun Park’s late collapse to take a three-stroke lead Saturday in the ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Lindberg, 31, of Sweden, shot a 2-under 70 on another hot and mostly calm day at Mission Hills, putting her in position to make the major championship her first professional victory.
Amy Olson, 25, was second after a 68. Olson, a former North Dakota State star — and the LPGA Tour’s only certified public accountant — also is seeking her first win as a pro.
Lindberg was two strokes behind Park after the fourthranked South Korean player made her third consecutive birdie on the par-5 11th. The group was then put on the clock for slow play, and Park dropped five strokes in the next five holes. Park, the reigning U.S. Women’s Open champion, bogeyed Nos. 12 and 13, had a double bogey on the par-4 14th after taking two shots to get out of the back bunker, and bogeyed the 16th.
Lindberg scrambled for pars on the first four holes on the back nine, ran in an 18-foot birdie putt on 14 and made a 25-footer for par on 15 for a two-stroke swing. Lindberg bogeyed the par-3 17th and then hit a wedge to 5 feet to set up a birdie on the par-5 18th. She broke the tournament 54-hole mark at 14-under 202.
Park finished with a 74 to fall into a tie for third at 10 under. She shot a 64 Friday for a share of the second-round lead with Lindberg.
Poulter eyes Masters bid
Ian Poulter, 42, put himself in position for a last-minute invitation to the Masters after a near miss last week, shooting a 7-under 65 Saturday to surge into a share of the lead at the Houston Open in Humble, Texas. Poulter followed an opening-round 73 that had him packing his bags in anticipation of a missed cut with rounds of 64 and 65 to reach 14-under 202 at the Golf Club of Houston. Beau Hossler birdied the par-4 18th to shoot 69 and match Poulter. It was the first time since his most recent PGA Tour victory in 2012 that Poulter had consecutive rounds of 65 or better.