Rested, tested Annika ready for the finale

Jennifer Rosales and Joanne Mills also are tied for third place.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- Annika Sorenstam used The Colonial as a test -- to make herself the best, to separate herself from the rest.
"Early in the year, I was always thinking about The Colonial. I couldn't play freely," said Sorenstam of the PGA Tour event three weeks ago. "Now, I can."
And it's showing.
On the wettest day of the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, Sorenstam moved into contention -- to no one's surprise -- with a 7-under-par 65 Saturday at Squaw Creek Country Club. She was joined at 8-under 136 by Jennifer Rosales and Joanne Mills.
Fan focus
Most eyes, however, were on the charismatic Sorenstam, a Swede whose strong play moved her within one stroke of the lead, held by Jean Bartholomew and Rachel Teske.
"I'll be looking at the leaderboard a lot. I'll look at the players, and I'll see what I have to do," said Sorenstam, who has won back-to-back tournaments the past two weeks. "That's what it's all about. I love being in contention, with a chance to win."
The conditions at Squaw Creek may be just right for Sorenstam to gain her 46th career victory.
Short irons
Steady rains this week dampened the course, giving a long driver such as Sorenstam the opportunity to hit short irons directly at the pin.
"This is one of the courses that when the ball lands, it stops," said Sorenstam, who has 14 come-from-behind victories. "You can be very aggressive out here. There are a lot of birdie opportunities."
Sorenstam, who didn't play a practice round this week before Friday's first round, took advantage of those opportunities Saturday. She started on the front side and birdied the first three holes, making a 45-foot putt at No. 2. She also made consecutive birdies at Nos. 7-9.
"It helps to play the golf course. The more you play it, the more you get used to it," Sorenstam said. "I felt I played well [Friday], but I didn't make too many putts. [Friday], my pace was off. Today, my pace was better."
Matching Sorenstam
Rosales and Mills, both seeking their first career victory, hope to keep the same pace as Sorenstam today in the final round.
The 24-year-old Rosales, a native of the Philippines, wore a bright pink shirt, dotted with white circles, and black shorts. A pony tail hung from the back of a bright red headband.
And her play was just as sharp as her clothes.
"I hit the ball a lot better today," said Rosales, who shot 8-under Saturday. "I hit my drives a lot longer and I made a lot of putts. You can be aggressive with this course and go right at the pin."
That was exactly what Rosales did on her final hole of the round. At the 134-yard par-3 ninth, she stuck her ball within an inch of the cup. The birdie matched her with Sorenstam.
"I didn't really think about that," Rosales said of tying Sorenstam. "I just wanted to play well this week and put myself in contention."
Making changes
Mills, 33, changed her caddie one month ago and began working with a mental coach. The results have been positive. She tied for sixth at last week's LPGA Championship.
"I came into this week with a lot of confidence," said Mills, an Australian who shot 6-under Saturday. "It's good to string a couple of good rounds together."
After four straight pars to begin her round Saturday, Mills bunched three of her six birdies at Nos. 5-7 to get momentum on her side.
"In Chicago [at the Kellogg-Keebler Classic two weeks ago], I came on well, and I carried that into last week," she said. "I just want to keep this ride going."
richesson@vindy.com