Three Players Share Lead Lead in Titleholders


Americans Natalie Gulbis and Gerina Piller along with Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum are now atop the leaderboard in the CME Group Titleholders. The $2 million event, the season-ender on the LPGA Tour, began Thursday at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla.

After opening with a bogey on the par-5 first hole, Gulbis really got rolling, reeling off five birdies on the front nine to make the turn in 4-under 32, then tacking on three more on the home half to reach 11-under 205.

Also at that 54-hole total are Piller and Phatlum, who each posted 67s Saturday.

Stacy Lewis soared up the leaderboard after a 9-under 63 that included an eagle on the par-4 third hole, eight birdies and a lone bogey. Lewis virtually sewed up the Vare Trophy for the season's low scoring average with her tournament-record-setting 63.

The three-time winner in 2013 is two strokes behind the leaders along with fellow American Lexi Thompson (67), China's Shanshan Feng (67) and Germany's Sandra Gal.

Gal began the third round with a three-stroke lead over the field. But the 28-year-old slipped behind after a double-bogey on the par-4 second hole, a bogey and a lone birdie for a 2-over 74.

Three strokes out of the lead is Michelle Wie (66), while four behind are Spain's Azahara Munoz (69), American Cristie Kerr (71), and South Koreans Sun Young Yoo (73) and Inbee Park, who carded a 69.

No. 1-ranked Park entered the tournament already earning the LPGA Tour's points-based Player of the Year award thanks to her six victories - including three majors - in 2013.

After opening with two straight 71s, Lydia Ko carded a 72 Saturday. Making her professional debut, the 16-year-old from New Zealand who's won twice - two consecutive Canadian Women's Opens as an amateur - in the past two years on the LPGA Tour, is tied for 25th at 214 with four others.

Defending champion Na Yeon Choi had a 70 for a 1-under 215 through three rounds.

The Titleholders' winner will earn $700,000, the biggest payday in women's golf.

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