Suzann Pettersen one clear in Mexico

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November 14, 2010

Suzann Pettersen will go into the final day of the LPGA Lorena Ochoa Invitational with a one-stroke lead.

Suzann Pettersen will go into the final day of the LPGA Lorena Ochoa Invitational in at the Guadalajara Country Club in Mexico on Sunday with a one-stroke lead after carding a third-round three-under-par 69.

The Norwegian overcame a late blip, with bogeys at the 15th and 17th and a rescued par on the final hole, to complete 54 holes at 12-under.

This after setting out on an eventful third day on Saturday with back-to-back birdies and then picking up further strokes on the par-three sixth and the ninth and tenth holes.

But she struggled to keep up her run down the back nine and only just held her lead after putting her tee shot into a bunker on the 18th.

“It’s a roller coaster out there,” Pettersen said. “I hit some great putts, great shots. I know (my game) is there. I just have to play with it and find it.”

Japan’s Ai Miyazato, already five-time winner this season, France’s Karine Icher, South Korean In-Kyung Kim, and American Stacy Lewis lie one shot further back at 11 under, after all but Lewis (69) fired 68s in windy conditions.

American Paula Creamer, was another stroke back at 10 under after slipping out of the lead with a 72.

Pettersen, a five-time LPGA Tour winner inn 2007, has had 10 top-five finishes this season and says she shouldn’t be overly nervous on Sunday.

“I’ve been in this situation a lot,” Pettersen said. “Hopefully my experience from previous tournaments this year can help me play well tomorrow.”

Former World No 1 Ochoa, playing her first LPGA Tour event since retiring in April, shot a 69 on her home course, leaving her 10 shots back in a tie for 24th.

Michelle Wie, the defending champion, withdrew after Thursday first round with a back injury after opening with a six-over 78.

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