Davies & Ochoa duel continues

Davies and Ochoa - a former world No. 1 and an aspiring world No. 1 - remained tied for the lead in the 2.6 million-dollar tournament after the third round on Saturday, the third straight day they finished together atop the leaderboard.

Both players opened with back-to-back rounds of 6-under 66 and signed for matching 70s on Saturday.

At 14-under 202, the pair were four strokes clear of Americans Brittany Lincicome (67) and Natalie Gulbis (71).

For 43-year-old Davies, the goal is to end a six-year victory drought in America and take another step towards a place in the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame.

The former world No. 1 won a tournament in Norway last year on her way to topping the European Tour money list, but she is keen to gain the two LPGA victories she needs for the Hall of Fame.

For Ochoa, there is also an added incentive. If she wins here she will take over from Annika Sorenstam as world No.1. The Swedish superstar withdrew this week due to a back injury that will keep her out for at least a month.

After a 49-minute fog delay, Davies made the better start with three birdies in a front nine of 33, but she suffered a huge setback with a double-bogey six at the unlucky 13th and went on to drop another shot at 14.

Ochoa had the lead but slipped up with bogeys at the 14th and 16th and both made birdies at 18 to set the stage for another head-to-head battle over the final 18 holes.

It was a drive into a bush at the 13th that caused Davies to lose her momentum.

"It was disappointing," she said. "It was one bad shot and it cost me two shots. But it was good to battle back and get into a tie again. We're four shots ahead, but it won't be just about the two of us.

"There are lots of birdies and eagles to be made out there. Someone could shoot really low."

The weather forecast for the final day is for strong winds and cool temperatures. But Davies, who includes four majors among her 20 LPGA titles, is capable of winning whatever the conditions.

Ochoa, 25, won six titles last season en route to Player of the Year honors and has already won the Safeway International this season. She is almost certain to become world No. 1 within the next few weeks, even if it doesn't happen on Sunday.

In the fourth round, she insisted, "All I'll be thinking about is winning this tournament."