Choi takes Women’s Open lead; Wie falters

Na Yeon Choi had one of the best rounds in U.S. Women’s Open history, taking control of the tournament with a seven-under 65 in the third round at Blackwolf Run on Saturday in Kohler, Wis.

The fifth-ranked South Korean star’s remarkable round put her at eight under for the tournament, giving her a six-stroke lead over Amy Yang. Only four players ever have posted a lower round in the Open, and the 65 tied the lowest third-round score in the event’s history.

Michelle Wie faded, shooting a six6-over 78 to fall to two over. Wie shot a 66 on Friday, putting her a stroke behind leader Suzann Pettersen. Pettersen also shot a 78 and slid to one over.

Yang had a 69. Choi and Yang were the only players to break 70 in the round. Lexi Thompson, Mika Miyazato and Sandra Gal were tied for third at one

U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson shot a fiveunder 65 to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Green brier Classic at White Sulphur Springs, W.VA.

Simpson had his second straight bogey-free round to reach 14 under on the Green brier Resort’s Old White TPC course. Troy Kelly was second after a62. He had hip-replacement surgery in September 2010 after being diagnosed with arthritis.

Rookie Charlie Beljan, J.B. Holmes and Ken Duke were 11 under. Beljan had a 67, Holmes a 66 and Duke a 65.

Holmes had part of his skull removed in September 2011, four months after he started having vertigo symptoms. He returned to the tour in January.

Tom Kite shot a three-under 69 at Pebble Beach for a share of the lead with Brad Bryant after the second round of the First Tee Open. Bryant had a 67 at on the Del Monte course to match Kite at eight under.

Bobby Clampett, Peter Senior and Mark McNulty were tied for third at five under. Clampett had a 67, Senior shot a 70, and McNulty a 71 — all at the Pebble Beach course.

John Cook, who shared the lead with Kite after Friday’s first round withdrew after nine holes Saturday because of a lingering neck injury.