Kim Retakes Lead in Evian Masters


While 36-hole leader Brittany Lincicome struggled to a 6-over 77, South Korean teenager Hyo-Joo Kim regained the lead at the Evian Masters. The $3.25 million event, the fifth and final major of the year on the LPGA Tour, is taking place at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France.

The 19-year-old Kim, who opened with a record-setting 61 but then had a 72 Friday to slip a stroke behind Lincicome, carded another 72 in the third round to reach 8-under 205, a stroke ahead of Australia's Karrie Webb, who posted a 70.

Two strokes behind Kim is fellow South Korean Mi Jung Hur (72), while three back are Sweden's Anna Nordqvist and Colombia's Mariajo Uribe, who each shot 70 on a day when under-par scores came grudgingly due to changing winds.

Lincicome, who carded rounds of 67 and 65 to supplant Kim atop the leaderboard, was in good position for her first victory since the Canadian Women's Open three years ago.

But the 28-year-old Floridian has some catching up to do to break her winless drought. She got off to a terrible start with a pair of double-bogeys on her first two holes - followed by a birdie on the third. She then tripled the par-5 eighth to make the turn in 6-over 41. On the home half, Lincicome minimized further damage with three birdies and three bogeys for an even-par 36.

Still, Lincicome's missteps dropped her into a tie for sixth at 4-under 209 with Koreans Na Yeon Choi (67), Ha Na Jang (68), and New Zealand teenager Lydia Ko (72).

No. 1-ranked Stacy Lewis (73) heads into Sunday tied for 10th at 210 with No. 2 Inbee Park (69) and defending champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway (74). 2014 Kraft Nabisco champion Lexi Thompson posted a 71 and now shares 13th with I.K. Kim (73).

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