Guadalajara, November 15: Michelle Wie, seeking her first LPGA tour title, seized a share of the lead in the $1.1 million Lorena Ochoa Invitational on Saturday with a two-under par 70.
Wie shared the lead on 10-under 206 with fellow-American Cristie Kerr, who carded a 67.
Overnight leader Jiyai Shin was a stroke back after a 74. She was joined on 207 by American Paula Creamer, who shot a 71, and first-round leader Song-Hee Kim of South Korea, who posted a 70.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng posted a 69 for 209.
Shin had a tough day, with three bogeys on the back nine at Guadalajara Country Club. She has already secured Rookie of the Year honors and is trying to become the first player since Nancy Lopez in 1978 to earn both rookie and player of the year honors.
She came into the tournament with a four-point lead over world number one Ochoa in the player of the year race. She could clinch it with a victory, if Ochoa finishes eighth or worse.
Ochoa, who has won Player of the Year for three straight years, carded a 72 Saturday to lie six adrift.
For Wie, it’s the second time this season she has held a share of the lead going into the final round.
She was tied for the lead in February in the SBS Open in Hawaii, but finished three strokes behind winner Angela Stanford.
Kerr, whose round was highlighted by an eagle on 16, won earlier this season, taking the Michelob Ultra Open.
—Agencies