Kerr leads by 2 strokes at U.S. Women’s Open

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — Former champion Cristie Kerr scrambled for a 1-over 72 Saturday to take a two-shot lead over Eun Hee Ji of South Korea after three rounds of the U.S. Women’s Open.

Kerr, the 2007 champion, was at 2-under 211, the only subpar score after three rounds at Saucon Valley Country Club as she chases her second title in three years.

Futures Tour player Jean Reynolds started two strokes off the lead, but stumbled down the stretch. She closed with a bogey at the 15th and back-to-back bogeys at 17 and 18 on the way to a 3-over 74. She’s tied for third at 2-over 215 with Teresa Lu of Taiwan, who had a 1-under 70.

South Korea’s In-Kyung Kim (72) and Hee Young Park (72), and Taiwan’s Candie Kung (3-under 68) are tied for fifth at 3-over 216. Brittany Lincicome had a 2-over 73, Suzann Pettersen had a 1-over 72 and Kyeong Bae of South Korea had a 2-under 69 and are tied for eighth at 4-over 217

The wind was blowing at the Old Course in the Lehigh Valley, drying out the putting surfaces and adding speed to the testy, undulating greens.

A handful of players took advantage of the USGA’s move to shorten the distance of a number of holes to raise the risk-reward factor.

Those who took advantage included the 23-year-old Ji. She offset three bogeys with four birdies for a 1-under 70 and even-par 213 total to earn a spot in the final group with Kerr on Sunday in just her second Open.

Others weren’t so lucky, namely Paula Creamer.

Creamer teamed with Kerr to make up an All-American final pairing in the third round, but fell out of contention quickly. She had three bogeys on the front nine, a triple-bogey at the 10th and a bogey at 11. She’s at 6-over 219 after an 8-over 79.

The focus Saturday was strictly on golf after a turbulent week during which the championship was overshadowed by a dispute between LPGA Tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens and more than a dozen top tour players who signed a letter calling for her resignation.

The New York Times, citing a source, has reported that Bivens has decided to step down after the Open concludes. Golf Digest had previously reported that Bivens would be replaced, as soon as next week, and cited sources who said the letter from the players was the final blow.