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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, September 20, 2009

Choi's 63 lights up Samsung World


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Na Yeon Choi made 10 birdies and one bogey for her 63 in the third round of the LPGA Samsung World Championship.

DENIS POROY | Associated Press

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SAN DIEGO — All phases of Na Yeon Choi's game were clicking yesterday and it showed in her third round at the Samsung World Championship.

The South Korean shot a career-best 9-under 63 at the Torrey Pines South Course to take a two-stroke lead over compatriot and second-round leader Jiyai Shin, who had a 68.

"I had a great round today," Choi said. "I feel almost perfect with everything. My driver was good, iron shot good, and wedge and putter good. I think perfect today."

Choi finished at 15-under 201 to tie the tournament's three-round record that Annika Sorenstam set when she won here in 2002 and 2005. Choi was a stroke from tying the tournament's single-round low set by Grace Park in 2004.

Choi has never won on the LPGA Tour, but has eight top-10 finishes this year, including a tie for ninth at the U.S. Women's Open.

After yielding 14 rounds in the 60s the first two days, the course was toughened up with faster greens and tighter pin placements yesterday. Only Ai Miyazato of Japan (68), Shin and Choi shot in 60s. Shin and Miyazato, who played together, were amazed by Choi's score.

"That's a really solid round," Miyazato said. "Nine under, that feels like 12-under on a normal golf course. This is not a very easy golf course."

Miyazato was three strokes back in third after her third straight 68.

No. 1-ranked Lorena Ochoa of Mexico shot a 72 and was tied for fourth place with Paula Creamer, seven strokes back.

CHAMPIONS TOUR

HAAS, PRICE SHARE LEAD

Jay Haas and Nick Price shared the lead at the Greater Hickory Classic yesterday, but 31 players were within six strokes of the leaders going into the final round at the Champions Tour event at Conover, N.C.

Haas, the 2005 winner, and Price are at 11-under 133 after two rounds at Rock Barn Golf and Spa's Robert Trent Jones course.

Haas shot a 1-under 71, while Price — a three-time majors winner on the PGA Tour — vaulted into contention with a 5-under 67.

Gil Morgan (70) is tied for third at 135 with Andy Bean (68) and Russ Cochran (68).

Today's final-day field will be the closest in the tournament's seven-year history. The previous best was 17 players, set at the inaugural event in 2003 won by Craig Stadler.

EUROPEAN PGA

BARHAM'S THREE AHEAD

Benn Barham shot 4-under 67 yesterday to take a three-stroke lead over Soren Hansen after three rounds of the Austrian Open at Oberwalterdorf.

The 33-year-old Englishman had six birdies. He had a double-bogey on the par-3 seventh hole to finish at 17-under 196. Hansen had six birdies for a 65.

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