Kerr & Ochoa tie for lead

A swirling wind made par a good score Saturday on the River Course at Kingsmill, leaving the tournament wide open for the final round.

Second-round leader Kim Williams lost a four-stroke lead in the first 11 holes, while Cristie Kerr and Lorena Ochoa moved to the front at 7-under 206 after three rounds of the LPGA Michelob Ultra Open.

Kerr shot a 70 and Ochoa had her second straight 68, a round she preserved with a winding 40-foot putt for par on the par-4 18th.

"I am going to sleep much better now with that stroke," Ochoa said.

Kerr and Ochoa accounted for two of only five rounds under par Saturday on the 6,270-yard course.

Teenage sensation Michelle Wie struggled with her accuracy, but repeatedly showed a deft touch around the greens and battled for a 2-over 73 with four bogeys and two birdies. She was six back in a tie for 16th at 1-under 212.

"Today it was kind of an adventurous fun, (like) you are living life on the edge," the 14-year-old said of her scrambling. "It's like saving yourself from the mouth of an alligator every time and it's pretty fun."

Christina Kim, four shots behind Williams at the start of the third round and playing with her in the last group, shot a 73 and was two off the lead at 5-under 208. Williams (78) and Jennifer Rosales (73) were three shots back.

Rosales won her first career tournament last week.

Contenders also included Hall of Famer Juli Inkster and Se Ri Pak, who were both four back at 3 under, and Annika Sorenstam, another shot off the pace.

"The holes just played very differently today -- a lot of side winds, it was gusting," Sorenstam said after a second straight even-par 71.

"I was pretty happy with the way I played."

The tournament has had the atmosphere of a major, several players said, because the course is in perfect condition and the $2.2 million purse has attracted virtually every top player on the tour.

The hottest player, for the second straight day, was Kerr. She was 7 under through 13 holes Friday before giving one shot back coming in. She was 3 under through nine holes Saturday, taking the lead at 9 under.

Two bogeys on the back, including on No. 18, brought her back to the pack, but left her feeling like fate may be working in her favor.

"I am getting more comfortable with playing with a lead and playing in the lead," said Kerr, whose three top fives this year include a victory in the Takefuji Classic in mid-April in Las Vegas. "So I am not going to worry about too much stuff when I go out there tomorrow. I am just going to go and try and get the job done for me and see what happens."

Ochoa and Kerr finished in a three-way tie for second in the LPGA Tour's first visit here a year ago when Grace Park won on the 72nd hole.

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