BETHLEHEM, Pa.: Two years ago, rain forced the third round of the US Women’s Open at Pine Needles in Southern Pines, N.C., into Sunday morning. By the end of the round, Cristie Kerr topped the leaderboard. She remained in the lead during the final round later in the day, claiming her first major championship after 41 attempts.
Two years later, Kerr enters the final round of the Open again on top of the leaderboard. This time, she must sleep on the lead before resuming playing in the traditional fashion - beginning the final group on Sunday with a chance to capture one of the most prestigious crowns in women’s golf.
“I can’t imagine a better place to be,” Kerr said. “I’m sure there are going to be some nerves in the morning, but I’ve been there. I know I can handle it.”
The Old Course at Saucon Valley Country Club has proved to be as difficult as the USGA aspires for an Open course. Kerr’s three-day total of 2-under-par 211 is the only score in the red on the leaderboard. She led entering Saturday and held the lead despite shooting a 1-over 72. Kerr will partner with Eun Hee Ji on Sunday afternoon after Ji shot a 1-under-par 70, putting her two strokes back of Kerr.
Saturday’s schedule included a final pairing that provided a glimmer of good fortune on a weekend when women’s golf badly needed some.
Multiple reports revealed that LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens will resign following the weekend, which is supposed to be a time on the calendar when women’s golf can yank the spotlight from the men for a few days. Saturday’s final pairing of Kerr and Paula Creamer offered two golfers who could increase the sport’s relevance within the American borders.
Only Kerr appeared worthy of the spotlight. It could be understood, considering Kerr has already experienced the pinnacle of American golf after her 2007 Open championship. But at 31, Kerr is already established.
Creamer, though, appeared as a blossoming American star. At 22, she brims with talent and marketability. Despite winning eight PGA events, Creamer has never won a major.
Creamer had a great chance last year when she entered the final day trailing by one stroke before shooting 8-over-par and slipping the leader board. The scenario reoccurred a day earlier this year, when Creamer fell from second place after the second round to tied for 17th after the third round because of an 8-over 79 for a three-day total of six-over-par 219.
Creamer bogeyed three of the first nine holes on Saturday before the collapse climaxed on No. 10, a 332-foot par-4 where she triple-bogeyed.
The only other American in the top five is little-known 24-year-old Jean Reynolds, who shot 3-over 74 but remains in the hunt with a 2-over 215. Reynolds is a professional but she has never played in an LPGA event.
Lorena Ochoa, the world’s top-ranked player, entered Saturday thinking she would need to register a 68 or 67 to be in contention for her first US Open championship.
Ochoa was tied for the lead after the opening round, but a dreadful 79 on Friday dropped her down the leader board. Ochoa could not shoot the low score that she needed, instead shooting a 2-over 73 for a three-day total of an 221 and virtually eliminating her from a title spot.
“It was a good round,” Ochoa said, “but the bad thing was yesterday.”
Saturday’s big mover was Candi Kung, who finished with a 68, the low round of the day. She recorded her first birdie of the week, which says more about her previous round than Saturday’s round. Kung is tied for fifth at 216. Just like two years ago, though, Kerr is the one who everyone must chase in the final round. Except this time, she has a night to sleep on her third-round lead.
“I don’t feel nervous,” Kerr said. “I feel calm. I know what I need to do.”
