Davies on Top at Mizuno Classic


England's Laura Davies carded a 5-under 67 to take a share of the lead heading into the final round of the 54-hole Mizuno Classic. The $1.2 million LPGA Tour event is being held at Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club in Japan.

Davies posted seven birdies and two bogeys to rise to the top of the leaderboard at 9-under 135. The 51-year-old, who was selected for the 2014 World Golf Hall of Fame class and will be formally inducted next July, is joined in first place by Ai Suzuki of Japan and Ilhee Lee of South Korea, who had a 64 and 66, respectively.

Davies is an 84-time international winner who hasn't won on the LPGA Tour since 2001, with her most recent victory anywhere coming in 2010 in New Zealand. She's been encouraged by some recent fine play and hopes it continues Sunday.

"I've been playing well but my results have been horrendous," Davies said. "If you don't hole putts, you can't compete out here anymore. It's not like it's a shock to me, but (better putting is) a nice surprise."

If Davies can pull out a victory she will be become the oldest winner in LPGA history with the 21st LPGA title of her career. "Obviously, it's a bad thing, really, because it means I'm really old," Davies joked. "But it would be a nice thing too because it would mean I have a good record."

Trailing by only one shot are Japan's Kotono Kozuma (67) and South Koreans Mi Hyang Lee (67) and Chella Choi (68). Na-Ri Lee of South Korean had a 65 and is at 137.

Sharing eighth at 138 are American Jessica Korda (67), Japan's Ayako Uehara (68) and Australian Karrie Webb (68).

First-round leader Morgan Pressel followed up her opening 67 with a 72 and dropped into a tie for 11th at 139 with five others, including fellow American Angela Stanford (68).

Defending champion Teresa Lu of Taiwan rebounded from an opening 73 with a 67 to move to 140, while two-time Mizuno Classic winner Jiyai Shin of South Korea had a 70 and is another stroke back.

No. 1 Inbee Park and third-ranked Lydia Ko aren't entered this week. Park will return to action for next week's Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico. Reigning U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie also isn't playing.

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