Steinhauer joins Morgan in share of lead

Sherri Steinhauer hit one of those shots that could turn around a career.

The 18-year LPGA veteran capped a 5-under 66 with an eagle 3 Saturday and was tied with Becky Morgan for the lead after three rounds of the Sybase Classic.

The leaders were at 10-under 203, three shots in front of Young-A Yang and Grace Park.

Steinhauer hit a 3-wood from 245 yards to 5 feet and made the putt to pull into a tie with Morgan, the second-round leader who had a 1-over 71.

"It's been a long, long time," Steinhauer said of being in the lead late in a tournament. "My best finish the last two years was a tie for 17th last year and a 13th this year at the Office Depot Championship. I just have to go out and play a shot at a time and not get ahead of myself."

If all the shots are like that closing 3-wood, it shouldn't be a problem for Steinhauer to win for the first time since this tournament five years ago.

"There's nothing like hitting a golf shot that you've pictured in your mind before. We had a wait down there and I was just kind of pacing around because I could picture the shot and I couldn't wait to hit it and then made a wonderful swing. It came off exactly like I wanted it to," said Steinhauer, who has five career wins and is 17th on the career money list with more than $17 million.

Last year she won just $40,000 and it meant a lot of soul-searching for the 39-year-old.

"I wouldn't say I was contemplating quitting but those thoughts enter into your mind," she said. "I kept fighting and wanted to come back. After overcoming last year, this would be an incredible win for me."

Morgan had a four-shot lead after two trips around 6,161-yard Wykagyl Country Club course. Her strength, driving accuracy, wasn't there and she scrambled to the 71.

"I hung in there. I hit a few bad shots and didn't make any putts," said Morgan, who has two second-place finishes in her four years on tour. "Hopefully I'll get back in the middle tomorrow."

Yang, one of the three co-leaders after the first round, had the first eagle in her two years on tour. She holed a wedge from 74 yards on the par-4 8th to get within a shot of Morgan at 10 under. She followed that with a bogey -- the same hole she had a triple-bogey 7 on to close her second round -- and then had a double bogey on 12 and a bogey on 13. She birdied the closing par-5 for a 71.

"I thought today I struggled more than the last couple of days but I cannot complain," said Yang, whose best finish this year was a tie for 71st. "I'm in great position right now."

Park, who is second on the money list to Annika Sorenstam, also had a 71 with four bogeys and four birdies.

"I'm just glad this round is over," Park said. "It was one of the worst iron-striking rounds in my life but I scrambled. I feel like I should be eight, nine strokes back but I'm not and that's good. I'm still in the hunt after a horrible day."

Karen Stupples had the best round of the day, a 7-under 64, and was tied at 6-under 207 with Jeong Jang, who had a 69.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page