SINGAPORE — Lorena Ochoa increased her lead to eight strokes in the HSBC Women’s Champions, shooting a 3-under-par 69 at Tanah Merah on Saturday.
The Mexican star, making her first LPGA Tour start of the year after winning eight times last season, had a 16-under 200 total on the Garden course.
“It was a tough day today. It started in the morning with some rain and I didn’t feel as good a rhythm as I had the first few days, so it was difficult for me out there,” Ochoa said.
Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer, the winners of the season-opening events in Hawaii, were tied for second at 8-under after 70s. Karrie Webb (70) was 7-under.
“I was kind of disappointed to lose a shot or two shots back there, particularly when I made a good start and made the turn at 3-under. You kind of like to continue the momentum,” said Sorenstam. “But I bounced back and there were some good shots and good golf.”
Webb had four birdies and two bogeys for fourth place. Laura Diaz of the United States was 5-under after a 2-under 70 round that included four birdies and two bogeys.
Japan’s Kiyota in lead.
Unheralded Japanese golfer Taichiro Kiyota shot a 5-under 67 to take the lead in the third round of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Gurgaon, India.
Kiyota, who eagled the par-5 sixth, is at 14-under 202 heading into the final round — one stroke ahead of New Zealand’s Mark Brown (64) and India’s Jyoti Randhawa (68), playing on his home course.
“This is unbelievable. I’m obviously very excited to be on top of the leaderboard. It’s the first time for me to be in such a position,” said the 27-year-old Kiyota, who hasn’t won in five years as a pro. “I may not be able to sleep well tonight.”
Vijay Singh shot a 69 and is tied for 10th at 9-under.
Brown, who at one point in his career gave up golf and took up an office job for three years, won on the Asian Tour last week. “I gave it up for three years and worked,” Brown said.
