Yani Tseng
Rolex Rankings No. 1 Yani Tseng leads entering the final round of the Honda LPGA Thailand after the 2010 Rolex Player of the Year eagled the par-5 18th hole on Saturday to take a one-shot lead at 9-under-par 207 over first- and second-round leader I.K. Kim and Michelle Wie.
Tseng is in search of a win for the third-consecutive week following victories on the Ladies European Tour in Australia each of the last two Sundays. The Taiwan native and Orlando resident has five-career LPGA victories, including three major championships, and is quickly approaching the $5 million mark in career earnings. Tseng carded five birdies, three bogies, one double bogey and the 18th hole eagle for a round of 2-under-par 70.
Some of the LPGA’s top names are in pursuit of Tseng for the season-opening title. Michelle Wie, seeking her third LPGA title in three years, and three-time winner I.K. Kim are tied for second at 8-under-par 208. Each closed Saturday’s second round with back-to-back birdies to put the pressure on Tseng come Sunday. Reigning U.S. Women’s Open champion Paula Creamer birdied three of her final five holes to sneak into solo fourth.
Creamer, who would cross the $8 million mark in career earnings with a win tomorrow, is in search of her 10th LPGA victory and redemption for a withdrawal from the 2010 Honda LPGA Thailand due to a thumb injury.
Not to be forgotten is LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Karrie Webb, who turned in a 4-under-par 68 on Saturday to move into fifth at 6-under-par 210. Webb, a 36-time winner Tour winner, is second all-time in LPGA history with more than $15.7 million earned.
15-year-old Thai amateur Ariya Jutanugarn turned in the round of the day with a 4-under-par 67 and sits in a tie for 11th
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Juli Inkster held the third-round lead after birdies at holes one and three, but shot 2-over-par 74 and is tied for seventh.
14 players are within six shots (the number Ai Miyazato trailed entering last year’s final round) of the lead and three players – Tseng, Wie and Creamer – have broken par each round.
Karen Stupples of England finished with a 77 on Saturday after a double bogey on the par four 13th adding to three more dropped shots to slip back down the field.
