Choi Takes 54-Lead in Bahamas Classic


South Korea's Na Yeon Choi carded a 7-under 66 to take the outright lead in the Bahamas Classic. The season opener on the LPGA Tour teed off Thursday at the Paradise Island course in the Bahamas.

Choi, a seven-time LPGA winner who hasn't tasted victory since the 2012 Titleholders, carded three birdies on the front nine and four more on the back to reach 15-under 204, a shot ahead of American Lizette Salas, who also carded a 66.

Halfway leader Jessica Korda struggled all day, posting three birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey before carding an eagle on the par-5 closing hole for a 72 and a share of third at 12-under 207.

Starting Saturday a stroke behind Korda, Paula Creamer, also had a wild day. The 27-year-old Californian went out with two birdies and a pair of bogeys to make the turn in even-par 36.

After an eagle on the par-5 11th, Creamer birdied the par-4 13th to take the lead. But a triple on the par-5 15th dropped Creamer down the leaderboard. She recovered, however, with an eagle on the last to match Korda at 12-under.

Four behind Choi are Americans Amelia Lewis (66) and Stacy Lewis (68) - no relation - and Jenny Suh (71).

Three Thai players - Thidapa Suwannapura (68), Pornanong Phatlum (69) and P.K. Kongkraphan (71) - are tied for seventh at 209 with Michelle Wie (72), Lydia Ko (71) and South Korean Chella Choi (67).

The top-two ranked women players in the world, Inbee Park and Suzann Pettersen, aren't entered this week. Also sitting out is China's Shanshan Feng, who won the 2013 season-ending Titleholders.

For all the scores in the Bahamas Classic, visit www.lpga.com.