Top-Three all in Contention at HSBC Women's Champions


Inbee Park carded a 4-under 68 to head into the final round of the $1.4 million HSBC Women's Champions with a two-stroke lead over Lydia Ko and Stacy Lewis, who each shot 67s on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.

The trio represents the top-ranked players in women's golf, with Park at No. 2 behind Ko and Lewis third in the Rolex Ranking.

Park enters Sunday at 13-under 203, just ahead of Ko and Lewis at 205. The 26-year-old from Seoul began Saturday tied for the lead with Spain's Carlota Ciganda and continues to be pleased with her play. "I gave myself a lot of opportunities," said Park, who's seeking her 13th LPGA title.

"I didn't make all of them, but I was able to handle myself out there being patient . . . and no bogeys is a really great result."

Ko is looking for her third title in three weeks, having won the Women's Australian Open in late February and the New Zealand Women's Open in early March.

"That would be a dream three weeks," the 17-year-old New Zealander told reporters. "But I'm just going to try my best. The girls are playing good golf and it's a tough course. Just one shot can cost you a couple (strokes)."

Lewis will be playing in the final group with Park and Ko; all three have been ranked No. 1 in the past year. The 11-time winner - including three titles in 2014 - relishes the challenge. "The final group on a Sunday is where you want to be - doesn't matter who is in the group. This is the position I want to be in tomorrow," said Lewis.

Trailing Park by four are Spain's Azahara Munoz (70), Sweden's Anna Nordqvist (68) and Norway's Suzann Pettersen (68). South Korea's So Yeon Ryu had a 69 and is in solo seventh at 208.

Ciganda fell into a share of eighth at 209 following a 74. The 24-year-old from Pamplona, Spain, is tied with China's Shanshan Feng (68) and American Jessica Korda (70).

Defending champion Paula Creamer has had a disappointing tournament, posting two 74s and a 71. The Californian is tied for 50th. Reigning U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie also had a 74 Saturday and is tied for 38th at 1-over 217.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/hsbc-womens-champions/leaderboard.