FRANKLIN, Tennessee - Stacy Prammanasudh used the extra
rest to her advantage.
Prammanasudh moved closer to her first career title, carding a
7-under-par 65 to open a two-shot lead after Saturday's third
round of the $1 million Franklin American Mortgage Championship.
In her third year on the LPGA Tour, Prammanasudh's best career
finish was a third-place showing here last year when she ended
two shots behind Lorena Ochoa.
One of the lucky ones who was able to complete their second
round Friday at the weather-delayed event, Prammanasudh excelled
in the third round.
"I was well rested," Prammanasudh said. "I got a good night's
sleep and was able to sleep in and take my time. I got out here
and probably had an hour and a half before I knew my tee time."
Prammanasudh carded seven birdies in a bogey-free round, moving
to 11-under 205 through 54 holes. Entering a final round with
the lead for the first time, she is two shots in front of Ochoa,
who picked up her first career victory here last year.
"It's a feeling I've never had to experience before,"
Prammanasudh said. "But I've got another 18 holes and five
hours. There are a lot of tough competitors out there, so it
will be tough."
It was a strong finish for Prammanasudh, who had three birdies
over the final four holes en route to her low round of the year.
The Oklahoma native had a pair of 69s at the Takefuji Classic
in mid-April.
Ochoa, a 23-year-old rising star from Mexico, signed for her
second straight 68. She held a one-shot lead entering the final
round last year and wound up winning by a stroke over Wendy
Ward.
"I think it helps," Ochoa said about her title last year. "But
I feel confident about my game and I'm going to come out and
play my game tomorrow. I'm going to do the same thing I've been
doing. I'm going to come out tomorrow and play my game."
Ocoha, Ward, Liselotte Neumann and Cristie Kerr were tied for
the lead after the second round. Seventy-three golfers were
forced to complete the second round Saturday morning.
Catriona Matthew, who matched Prammanasudh for the low score in
the third round, is in third, three shots back. It is another
five shots back to Christina Kim.
Trailing by three shots entering the third round, Prammanasudh
made four birdies over her first 14 holes to tie Ochoa atop the
leaderboard. She took the lead at the par-4 15th, sinking a
nine-foot birdie putt.
After a par on No. 16, Prammanasudh closed her round with
consecutive birdies.
Annika Sorenstam, the world's top-ranked player, is not entered.
First prize is $150,000.