Miyazato leads LPGA Evian by 2

Associated Press

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France

Former champion Ai Miyazato of Japan shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to take a two-shot lead after the third round at the Evian Masters.

Miyazato, who won her first LPGA title at the Evian Masters two years ago, made five birdies for a 13-under total of 203. She heads into today’s fourth round ahead of a group of four players, including Kraft Nabisco winner Stacy Lewis.

“I hit the ball really well today, and my putting was really good as well,” the 26-year-old Miyazato said. “I was really calm out there, so that’s why I didn’t have a bogey.”

With the course lending itself to aggressive golf and the pins made for attacking, Miyazato is expecting to come under heavy pressure on Sunday as she bids for her first title of the year, and her second Evian Masters trophy in three years.

She was sixth at the recent U.S. Open, but her best result this year was a tie for fifth at the Sybase Match Play Championship in May.

“Two shots leading is still nothing on this golf course, I think. Still so many players can shoot low score tomorrow,” Miyazato said. “It’s still wet on the fairway, but the greens are really receptive, you can still be aggressive.”

Overnight leader Miki Saiki of Japan, Ran Hong of South Korea and Angela Stanford are also at 11 under.