Pettersen Stays in Front at Manulife LPGA Classic


Suzann Pettersen followed up her opening rounds of 6-under 66 and 65 with another 66 to take a one-stroke lead in the Manulife LPGA Classic. The LPGA Tour event in Canada got underway Thursday at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ontario.

Pettersen, a 34-year-old Norwegian, carded four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole to reach 18-under 198, a stroke ahead of fellow 36-hole leader, Mariajo Uribe. Uribe, a 25-year-old Colombian, carded a 5-under 67 that included six birdies and a bogey.

Alone in third at 17-under 199 is Cristie Kerr, who carded a 67, while Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg had a 68 and trails Pettersen by four.

Tied for fifth at 202 are Americans Katie Burnett (67) and Brittany Lang (69), and Taiwan's Yani Tseng (69).

South Koreans So Yeon Ryu (66) is tied for eighth at 203 with Malaysia's Kelly Tan (66), American Jacqui Concolino (68), Paraguay's Julieta Granada (69) and Belgium's Laetitia Beck (70).

Defending champion Inbee Park had a 70 and enters Sunday's final round tied for 32nd at 207.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/manulife-lpga-classic/leaderboard.