Sunday, March 30, 2008
Associated Press
SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN, Ariz. — Lorena Ochoa moved into position for her second straight Safeway International victory and second win in three starts this year, shooting a 4-under 68 on Saturday to take the third-round lead.
After outdueling close friend Angela Stanford on Saturday, Ochoa will be paired with Jee Young Lee today at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club.
Stanford followed bogeys on 13 and 14 with two finishing birdies for a 70. Lee fired her third consecutive 67.
At 16-under 200, Ochoa matched the best 54-hole total since the tournament moved to Superstition Mountain five years ago. Annika Sorenstam also was 16 under in 2004 on her way to a course record 18-under 270 total, matched last year by Ochoa.
Ochoa, the HSBC Champions winner this year in Singapore, is seeking her 16th victory in her last 48 starts since 2006 and 19th overall LPGA Tour win.
The six players within six shots of her have a combined four LPGA Tour victories. The closest rival with similar experience was Sorenstam, seven strokes back after a 71.
Zurich Classic
AVONDALE, La. — Woody Austin, Nicholas Thompson, Peter Lonard and Briny Baird topped the Zurich Classic leaderboard at 8 under when rain, lightning and thunder forced the suspension of third-round play.
Play was stopped at 1:48 p.m., then called off for the day at 5:35 p.m. The 46 players unable to finish will try to complete the round this morning.
Austin had seven holes to play, Thompson eight, Lonard 14 and Baird 15.
John Senden was the leader in the clubhouse at 7 under after a 66. Andres Romero, Tim Petrovic, Steve Elkington and John Merrick also were 7 under.
Ginn Championship
PALM COAST, Fla. — German star Bernhard Langer birdied his first two holes at the Ocean Hammock Golf Club, then avoided the mistakes that plagued his closest rivals in the Champions Tour’s Ginn Championship.
The two-time Masters champion, a two-time winner in 10 career Champions Tour starts, shot a bogey-free 6-under 66 on the windy Oceanside course to reach 11-under 133 and move two strokes ahead of Lonnie Nielsen (69).
Fred Funk (69), tied with Langer with three holes to play, made a bogey at No. 16 and a double bogey at No. 17 to fall into third at 8 under.
Andalucia Open
PUERTO BANUS, Spain — Defending champion Lee Westwood shot a 6-under 66 Saturday to take a one-shot lead in the Andalucia Open.
Westwood, from England, birdied the first five holes and finished at 12-under 204. David Lynn (68) and 19-year-old Oliver Fisher (67), also from England, were tied for second with France’s Thomas Levet (68).