Stanford seizes command at LPGA Hawaii event

Angela Stanford (R) discusses her second shot with caddie Jeremy Young Angela Stanford, seeking her sixth career victory, fired a five-under par 67 to seize a four-stroke lead after the third round of the $1.7 million US LPGA Lotte Championship. The veteran US player stood on 13-under par 203 after 54 holes with South Korean Kim Hyo-Joo and home-state hero Michelle Wie sharing second on 207. American Cristie Kerr was another shot adrift.
In windy conditions, Stanford had back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth holes and added another at the seventh.
"It's hard for everybody. You really have to be patient," Stanford said of the wind.
Stanford, who has won five of 10 prior events when leading after 54 holes, began the back nine with a bogey but followed with birdies on the next three holes.
"I kind of found something and for some reason I have been able to read these greens. It has been fun to watch the ball go in."
Wie finished with a bogey to miss a chance to stand second alone. She made birdies and the third and sixth holes and followed a bogey at the seventh with a birdie at the eighth and another at 11.
"I'm proud of the way I hit the ball," Wie said. "I'm glad I have one more day. I'm looking forward to playing tomorrow. I just have to go out there and make a lot of birdies."
South Koreans Park In-Bee and Ryu So-Yeon and American Amy Anderson shared fifth on 210, with American Katie Burnett and South Korean Chella Choi sharing eighth on 212.
Source: AFP