Thompson takes LPGA lead
Lexi Thompson made a 15foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole Saturday to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the LPGA’s ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Trying to win the major championship for the second time in three years, the 21year-old Thompson shot a 3under 69 to reach 10 under at Mission Hills.
A day after making a 30foot birdie putt on 18, she hit a 207-yard, 5-iron approach that settled pin-high to the left and curled in the left-toright eagle putt.
“To knock it in on 18 is always the most amazing feeling here,” Thompson said. “To finish like that definitely turns around my confidence. I feel really good going into tomorrow.”
Top-ranked Lydia Ko, In Gee Chun and Ariya Jutanugarn were tied for second, and 15 players were within four strokes of each other at the top of the leader board.
Jim Herman and Jamie Lovemark, two players who have never won a PGA Tour event or played in the Masters, shared the lead going into the final round of the Houston Open.
A win Sunday and they get to tee off in the Masters.
The 38-year-old Herman shot a 5-under 67 Saturday to position himself for a breakthrough.
“There’s a lot to play for tomorrow,” said the pro from Cincinnati, whose best finish this season has been a 10thplace tie.
Lovemark, 28 and a former NCAA champion at USC whose professional career was derailed by major back surgery, wasn’t able to build on his fast start, which saw him birdie three of the first four holes. He stayed in the hunt with a 70 after opening rounds of 67 and 68.
“My confidence is good,” Lovemark said. “I’ve got to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
Herman and Lovemark were at 11 under par through 54 holes and just a stroke ahead of Henrik Stenson, Dustin Johnson and Russell Hensley. The Swede Stenson, No. 7 in the current world ranking, posted the day’s best round with a 66 after also birdieing three of the first four holes. Henley had a 68 Saturday and Johnson a 70.
Scott Dunlap shot a 3-under 69 in the second round to take a two-shot lead over Jerry Smith at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in Saucier.
It was a long day for the entire field, with all the players completing 36 holes.
The first round was moved to Saturday after heavy rain wiped out play Friday at Fallen Oak.