Sweden's Anna Nordqvist sank a 20-foot birdie at 15 on Saturday to regain the lead at the LPGA Championship as darkness halted third-round play.

Nordqvist, the overnight leader, was 10-under for the tournament through 15 holes and was one-stroke clear of Lindsey Wright.

"Obviously finishing with the birdie brings me some good momentum for tomorrow," Nordqvist said.

Australia's Wright was nine-under for the tournament through 15, while South Korean Na Yeon Choi was eight-under through 17.

South Korea's Jin Young Pak was the leader in the clubhouse on seven-under 209. She carded a three-under 69 in the third round, which was halted for about two and a half hours by a thunderstorm and resumed before darkness fell.

Eight players were to return to complete their rounds on Sunday morning.

"Obviously there's a disadvantage not finishing today. I mean, I would love to be sleeping in," Wright said. "But it's going to be a big day, regardless."

Jiyai Shin, the reigning Women's British Open champion, also posted a 69 and was in the clubhouse on six-under 210.

Kristy McPherson was at six-under through 17.

Defending champion Yani Tseng of Taiwan carded a 69 for a three-under total of 213.

Prior to the delay, Nordqvist was 10-under through nine holes, while Wright was nine-under through 10.

Wright returned to birdie the 11th, and she took the lead when Nordqvist bogeyed the same hole. But Wright gave back a shot at 13.

"It comes down to Sunday every week," she said philosophically.

Nordqvist, who celebrated her 22nd birthday on Wednesday, is playing her first major championship as a professional. She didn't let the tension build during the rain delay.

"I went to the clubhouse and sat there with a few of my friends," said Nordqvist, who made the cut at the Women's British Open the last two years as an amateur. She was hoping to continue to keep things low-key.

"I'll go home and eat some dinner and go to bed and be up early and play those holes," she said. "Then I'll relax before I tee it up again."

Nicole Castrale, who started the day one shot behind Nordqvist, was five-under through 15 when play was halted.

AFP

RSS
Digg
de.li.cious
facebook