Lewis & Hedwall Tied atop Reignwood LPGA Classic


Stacy Lewis began the third round at the Reignwood LPGA Classic in Beijing with a two-stroke lead. But the No. 1-ranked player in women's golf had a so-so Saturday, posting at 1-uinder 72 at Reignwood Pine Valley Golf Club.

Lewis is now tied for the lead heading into Sunday's final round at 13-under 206 with Sweden's Caroline Hedwall, who carded a 68. The 72-hole, $2.1 million event began Thursday.

Lewis got off to a sluggish start with three bogeys in the first 11 holes. But from No. 13 on, she posted four birdies to salvage her 1-under outing. "I made some bad swings early," Lewis admitted.

"Probably the swing I made on 13, on the par-3, I don't know what it was, but things just kind of seemed to click after that. You know, just kind of found some confidence in my golf swing from there, and then making the putts too, which was nice."

Thanks to the excellent finish in her third round, Lewis feels like she's still the one to beat and is in good position for her fourth title of the year and homing in on the LPGA Player of the Year award. "A win this week would help that a lot," she said.

"I don't think I'm comfortable until the last tournament and nobody else can beat me. It's one of those things I don't think you get too comfortable with. The players behind me are great players and can win two tournaments in a row pretty easily."

Sharing third at 11-under 208 are South Korea's Mirim Lee (70) and American Brittany Lang (72). One stroke further back are Germany's Caroline Masson (71) and South Korean Inbee Park (68).

Park, a two-time winner this season, could supplant Lewis at No. 1 with a win this week and if Lewis finishes third or lower on the leaderboard.

Of her third round, Park said, "I had really nothing to lose really today," Park said. "I was in the middle about 12th or 15th place. I had to make some kind of move today to have a chance tomorrow."

Tied for seventh at 210 are South Koreans Sun Young Yoo (69) and Ilhee Lee (71), Spain's Belen Mozo (72) and Norway's Suzann Pettersen (70).

Defending champion Shanshan Feng, who beat Lewis last year with a dramatic eagle on the 72nd hole, continued her struggles in front of her adoring fans. The 25-year-old has carded rounds of 75, 71 and 74 and enters Sunday in a tie for 52nd.

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