Lewis Now Tied with Choi in Singapore


Na Yeon Choi posted a 5-under 67 to rise into a tie for the 54-hole lead with Stacy Lewis in the HSBC Women's Champions. The $1.4 million LPGA Tour event began Thursday on the 6,600-yard Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.

Lewis, a 28-year-old held a two-shot lead after two rounds, carded a five-birdie-two-bogey 69 to match Choi at 14-under 202, two shots ahead of Paula Creamer, who carded a 69 on a Saturday that experienced some rain and lightning storms.

Lewis began Saturday ahead of South Koreans Choi, Chella Choi (no relation) and Sun Young Yoo, fellow American Creamer, Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and Spaniard Azahara Munoz. But Na Yeon Choi put up six birdies and a bogey for a share of the lead.

Lewis had a one-stroke lead on the 18th hole when she was forced from the course due to a rain squall and lightning. "It was very frustrating," said Lewis, who came back to par the par-5 closer. "It is what it is and luckily we got finished today. It's going to be tight tomorrow and we are going to have to make some putts," she added.

Creamer was involved in a five-car accident in Thailand last weekend and has been dealing with various aches and pains in Singapore. Also in her vehicle were Suzann Pettersen and Ai Miyazato. Creamer suffered pains to her neck, back, arm and shoulder, and pulled out of a practice round. Miyazato wasn't so lucky, as her injuries forced the Japanese player to withdraw from the tournament. Pettersen has posted rounds of 73, 70 and 72 and is in 33rd place.

"I'm just so pleased to be out here, and let alone to be in contention on Sunday," Creamer said Saturday. "That's just beyond my imagination of what I thought even teeing it up on Thursday."

Sharing fourth at 207 are Jutanugarn (72), Danielle Kang (70), Yoo (72) and Munoz (72). Jessica Korda (68) is another stroke back with Karine Icher (68), Nicole Castrale (69) and Chella Choi (74).

Defending champion Angela Stanford continues to struggle. After opening with two 76s in the no-cut tournament, the Texan posted a 73 and is tied for 57th place.

No. 1-ranked Yani Tseng (71) is now tied for 19th at 4-under 212.

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