Recari Extends Lead at Kia Classic


Beatriz Recari increased her 36-hole lead from one to two strokes Saturday. The 25-year-old from Pamplona, Spain, carded a 3-under 69 to reach 11-under 205 in the Kia Classic, a $1.7 million LPGA Tour event at the 6,593-yard Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, Calif.

Recari, whose only pro wins came in the LPGA's CVS/Pharmacy Challenge in 2010 and the 2009 Finnair Masters on the Ladies European Tour, went out in even-par 36. On the back nine, she birdied the par-3 11th and eagled the par-4 16th.

Recari has yet to card a bogey in 54 holes.

She'll play in Sunday's final group with Hall of Fame member Karrie Webb. The 38-year-old Australian, a 38-time LPGA winner, shot a 70 that included six birdies and four bogeys, with the last coming on the par-4 18th.

Paula Creamer, who with Webb began the third round only a stroke back of Recari, could have played in the final twosome Sunday but the California native bogeyed the closing hole, one of three bogeys and four birdies en route to a 71.

Creamer will be paired in the penultimate group with South Korean I.K. Kim, who shot 70.

Another stroke back in a tie for fifth at 7-under 209 and within striking distance are Americans Stacy Lewis (69), Lizette Salas (70) and Cristie Kerr (71). At 6-under 210 are first-round leader Jane Park (a second straight 72) of the U.S. and South Korea's Inbee Park (72).

Lewis is the newly-crowned No. 1 player in women's golf after her win last week in the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup.

Kia Classic defending champion Yani Tseng, who Lewis supplanted as the world's top-ranked women golfer, was forced to withdraw by LPGA rules before the start of the tournament after missing her tee time at Wednesday's pro-am.

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