Taiwan’s Candie Kung is in second place, five shots behind South Korea’s Hee Kyung Seo, after three rounds of the LPGA Kia Classic on Saturday.
Kung, a four-time winner on the LPGA tour, said she thinks it could be possible to catch Seo and win the first full-field tour event to be held in Southern California since 2005.
“If you get lucky out there,” Kung said. “If you get the bounce that you need, the bounce in the hole, then you can catch her for sure.”
Seo fired a three-under 69 on Saturday. The 11-time winner on the Korean LPGA tour who is playing on a sponsor’s exemption, started the day with a one shot lead.
After opening with a bogey she bounced back with four birdies at La Costa — including a 20-footer at 16 — en route to a 10-under total of 206.
“I was a little nervous on the first hole, but was trying to get relaxed,” Seo said. “I started concentrating on my shots and played well on the back nine.”
Seo said she would call on the memories from her victories to help settle any final-round nerves.
“In final rounds of every championship I have been a little bit nervous,” Seo said. “I know what I have to do to win. I think I will enjoy it.
“Five shots is a big lead, but there are lots of great players,” said Seo, who is playing her sixth US LPGA event. “I want to just play my game and not think about other things.”
American Michelle Wie, who is trying to win her second LPGA title, shot a one-over 73 and was tied with China’s Shanshan Feng for third place, six strokes adrift.
Feng shot a 68, tied for best round of the day with American Cristie Kerr and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist.
Taiwan’s Teresa Lu shot a 73 for a total of 213 along with seven other players, while compatriot Amy Hung shot a 72 for a total of 221 in a group of four other players, including Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa.
Fellow Taiwanese Yani Tseng shot a 75, joining seven other players on 222.
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