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Sorenstam and Ochoa share lead at TPC

Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam shared the third round lead at the Scandinavian TPC hosted by Annika after both players finished at 13-under 206 after 54 holes.

The pair began the day tied for the lead on nine-under-par and both shot four-under-par 69s. Sorenstam began the day with an eagle at the first hole and followed with five birdies and two bogeys. Ochoa was more consistent with four birdies and no bogeys.

Sorenstam took a two shot lead after sinking a long birdie putt at the par-three 13th, but after three putting at the 16th she was caught by Ochoa.

“My round was definitely more up and down and that’s the way my season has been – up and down,” Sorenstam said. “Lorena has been playing very solid. I love the way she’s driving the ball, it’s very consistent.”

Ochoa, who birdied holes one, seven, 15 and 17, added: “I think Annika has more knowledge of this golf course, where to place the ball and get good bounces.

“I played good. It was windy and the course was hard so I’m pleased. It would be a very special win here. I’m going to play aggressive to give myself a chance to win that trophy. I respect Annika a lot. It’s going to be tough. It will be a very special day tomorrow playing with Annika in the last group.”

Norway’s Suzann Pettersen fired a flawless 68 to move to eleven-under-par, two shots behind the leaders. Gwladys Nocera from France, who leads the New Star Money List on the Ladies European Tour, was a further stroke behind after a 67. She climbed to within a stroke of the leaders but bogeyed the last hole.

England’s Laura Davies, who has posted three second places in Europe so far this season, shared fifth place at five shots back with Scot Catriona Matthew and Italian Veronica Zorzi.

Davies had a seven-under-par 66 which was the best score of the day. Davies’ round included eight birdies, one eagle and a triple bogey at the fifth hole, where she drove the ball into a bush and was forced to take a penalty drop. She chipped twice and three putted. Davies' eagle came on the par-five first hole, where she hit a two-iron within 20 feet of the pin.

“Seven under with a triple was more than I could have hoped for,” said Davies. “The wind today was the hardest so far this week. It’s a crazy game.”

Davies admitted that instead of going to the range before teeing off she spent 45 minutes putting and it paid off. Fellow English player Karen Stupples carded a 72 and finished eighth with Sophie Sandolo, who had a 71.

Rebecca Hudson, the recent OTP Bank Ladies Central European Open Champion, had a 67 and shared tenth position with Swedes Helen Alfredsson, the Solheim Cup captain and Karin Sjodin, a rookie on the US LPGA, who leads the Tour driving average statistics.

Hudson said: “I’ve been struggling for the past couple of weeks so I’m really happy with that round. I missed the cut at British Open but can’t complain: I’ve had such a good year.”

Sorenstam, who started playing golf at 12 on the Bro-Balsta course, is the tournament host and she has won the Swedish event three times in the last four years.

As well as the US Women’s Open, she also won in Mexico earlier this year and Ochoa is hoping to return the compliment by winning as a guest on Sorenstam’s home soil.