Yang Stays Three Clear at U.S. Women's Open


Smooth-swinging Amy Yang carded her third straight round in the 60s to maintain her three-stroke lead in the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania.

After starting with rounds of 67 and 66 on the par-70 layout, the 25-year-old South Korean posted a 69 to reach 8-under 202, three clear of American Stacy Lewis, who also shot a 69. The two will be paired in Sunday's final group.

Yang had four birdies and three bogeys Saturday After the round she said during a TV interview, "Putting was a little shaky today. Greens were tricky. Had a tough time getting the speed right. But I've been swinging well this week."

Yang, who won the Honda LPGA Thailand in March and has two victories on the LPGA Tour, finished fourth in last year's U.S. Women's Open at Pinehurst. She also finished second in the 2012 championship to fellow South Korean Na Yeon Choi at Blackwolf Run in Wisconsin.

Sitting in third at 206 is South Korea's In Gee Chun, while Japan's Shiho Oyama had a 71 and is in solo fourth at 207. Trailing Yang by six are defending champion Michelle Wie, who had a 68, and South Koreans Chella Choi, who fired the championship's low round of 64, Mi Hyang Lee (72) and Inbee Park (70).

Park, the top-ranked player in women's golf, has won two U.S. Women's Open titles.

Choi had nine birdies and three bogeys during her stellar outing. "My shot is really good today so I have a lot of chance. I missed a couple par-putt, but I have a lot of chance out there. So confidence and, yeah, I made a lot.," she said.

Wie has battled injuries this season and was visibly limping at various junctures this week. But she's been able to keep a positive attitude. "I think my expectations were just I was going to play as hard as I can try to make as many birdies as I can. And right now I'm just really happy that I'm in a good spot. I just want to see what I can do tomorrow."

Tied for ninth at 209 are Taiwan's Min Lee (70) and Americans Morgan Pressel and Jane Park, who each carded 71s. They are the final players in the field under par through 54 holes.

No. 2-ranked Lydia Park had a 69 and is at 211 along with several other players, including Americans Lexi Thompson, Sydnee Michaels and Marina Alex. Also at that number are Canadian teenager Brooke Henderson and Australian Karrie Webb, who shared the 18-hole lead with Alex after opening with a 66.

For all the scores, visit http://www.usga.org/championships/2015/u-s--women-s-open/scoring.html.