Feng Goes Up by One in Reignwood LPGA Classic


China's Shanshan Feng fired her second straight 9-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Reignwood LPGA Classic. The $1.8 million event is taking place in Beijing.

For the second day in a row the 24-year-old Feng carded nine birdies on the Nicklaus Course at Pine Valley Golf Club. Feng, who's looking to add to her second win since the 2012 LPGA Championship, stands at 21-under 198, one shot ahead of American Stacy Lewis, who shot a 65.

Feng and Lewis - who's gone 54 holes without a bogey - will play in Sunday's final pairing with Inbee Park, with Feng the obvious gallery favorite. "I've played Stacy many times. I know she's a very aggressive player, and I know that on this course she could definitely drain a lot of birdies and chase back. I knew the lead wasn't secure," said Feng.

"A one-stroke lead is very small. There are 18 holes tomorrow so there's still a challenge. If the conditions are right, you can get a very low score on this course."

The third round was delayed because of heavy smog that resulted in poor visibility. Several players wore surgical masks in an effort to filter out the pollution in a city notorious for its poor air.

No. 1-ranked Park shot a 66 to reach 16-under 203, five behind Feng. Park, whose three major titles are among her six wins this year, got off to a hot start with five birdies in her first seven holes. But the South Korean hit a lull on the next seven holes, with two bogeys and five pars, before closing out the round with four straight birdies.

"I got off to a good start and then in the middle I was slower and at the end of the round, everything went in," Park said. "My putter just didn't want to go in for six or seven holes."

As for what it will be like playing on Sunday in front of her hometown fans, Feng said, "Overall I think I handled the pressure pretty well, and I really had fun today and I'm pretty sure I'll have fun tomorrow playing with Stacy and Inbee together."

Karrie Webb (66) is in solo fourth at 205, while two strokes further back is South Korean Na Yeon Choi (72).

Thirty-six-hole leader Jessica Korda had an off-day. After opening with rounds of 64 and 68, the 20-year-old Floridian ballooned with a 76 Saturday and is now in sixth at 11-under 208.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.