Lewis Takes Over Top Spot from Thompson at Navistar LPGA Classic


Stacy Lewis has supplanted Lexi Thompson atop the leaderboard in the Navistar LPGA Classic. The $1.3 million event began Thursday on the Senator Course at Capitol Hill, a part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, in Prattville, Ala.

Lewis carded a seven-birdie 65 Saturday to reach 15-under 201, two shots ahead of Angela Stanford (68) and three clear of Lizette Salas (70). South Koreans Haeji Kang (67) and Mi Jung Hur (72) share fourth at 205, while another stroke back are Australian Sarah Jane Smith (68), Korean Hee Young Park (72) and Thompson (74).

"I knew going into today I needed to make birdies, just the way the scores had been all day," said Lewis. "I wasn't happy with the way I played the back nine yesterday. Putts weren't going in. They were going to the edge and not going in, so I worked on some basics yesterday."

After starting with a 63 and 69 to lead each of the first two rounds of the 72-hole tournament, Thompson - the defending champion - struggled in the third round. The 17-year-old from Coral Springs, Fla., went out with a bogey and eight pars to make the turn in 1-over 36, then on the home half posted two birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey on the par-4 12th.

"I just struggled a little bit," Thompson told reporters. "I'm definitely not out of it. I shot 63 the first day, so if I have a round like that, I can be in contention. I'm just going to go out and free-swing and try to make birdies. Hopefully, a few more putts drop."

Tied for sixth at 207 are Spain's Beatriz Recari (66), Korean So Yeon Ryu (69) and Americans Nicole Castrale (70), Vicky Hurst (70), Jennifer Johnson (71), Sydnee Michaels (72) and Dori Carter (73).

Five players - including Natalie Gulbis (72) - are tied for 16th at 208.

No. 1-ranked Yani Tseng carded her second straight 70 to get a share of 33rd at 5-under 211. Michelle Wie missed Friday's cut of 143 after posting a 71 and 73.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/Leaderboard.aspx.