Redman joins leaders with late eagle

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October 17, 2010

Michele Redman has eagled the 18th to grab a late share of the 3rd round lead at the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge.

American LPGA Tour veteran Michele Redman eagled the 18th in Saturday’s third round to snatch a late share of the lead heading into sunday’s final round of the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge at Blackhawk Country Club in California.
Redman’s round was in danger of fizzling out after four birdies on the first 13 holes were followed by a double-bogey five on the 16th.
But the 45-year-old hung in and went on to hole out with an eight iron on the par-four 18th to card a 68 and join Spain’s Beatriz Recari and Korea’s Ilhee Lee at the top of the leaderboard on 12-under par.
Redman, whose 8-iron approach landed 16 feet from the pin and then rolled into the cup as the crowd roared, pumped her fist and smiled broadly.
“I knew I hit it pretty good,” she told the media afterwards.
“I mean, I don’t know, I just kind of knew I hit a pretty good shot. It was exactly what I visualized and what I felt. Fortunately, it went in the cup.”
Redman desperately need a lift in this event.
She hadn’t won since 2000 and has picked up only a handful of top-10 finishes over the past four years.
Indeed she was seriously thinking of quitting the LPGA circuit.
“I actually applied for the coaching job at the University of Minnesota, so I was pretty serious about it,” Redman disclosed.
“But everything works out the way it’s supposed to. That’s how I’m looking at it right now.”
Redman, who was tied for fourth after each of the first two rounds, made her charge to the top of the leaderboard with two birdies and three pars on the back nine.
Then, after the double bogey on the 183-yard 16th caused her to stumble, she picked herself up and bounced right back two holes later with her critical eagle and a share of the lead.
Lee also carded a 68 while Recari, who shared the halfway lead with France’s Gwladys Nocera, recorded a 70.
Nocera is a shot off the pace on 11-under after a 71, alongside American Wendy Ward.
Brittany Lincicome, who held a four-shot lead after a stunning opening round of 61, added a 71 to her second round 76 to lie four shots off the pace.
England’s Laura Davies is another stroke back on seven under after a round of 70, but Scotland’s Janice Moodie struggled to a 74 to lie joint 36th.