The signature smile of Rolex Rankings No. 15 Yani Tseng was on full display during the third round of the Safeway Classic Presented by Coca-Cola as the Taiwanese star shot a 9-under 63 to take a three-shot lead with 18 holes to play. The former world No. 1 and 15-time LPGA Tour winner carded 11 birdies and two bogeys at Columbia Edgewater Country Club and holds the third-round lead for the first time since the 2012 Kraft Nabisco Championship where she finished third. This marks the 15th time in her career Tseng has led or co-led after third round. Ten of her 15-career wins have come after leading or co-leading through 54 holes. Rolex Rankings No. 3 Suzann Pettersen (70) and No. 56 Pornanong Phatlum (71) trail Tseng by three shots and are in a tie for second at 15-under par. A group of four players are tied for fourth including Americans Stacy Lewis, Lizette Salas and Morgan Pressel and Sweden s Anna Nordqvist. This week marks the 37th start since Tseng has found her way into the winner s circle at an LPGA event and according to the 24-year old, it has been a long journey in an effort to get back to the top. I don&apost know what is the media center now, said Tseng. It&aposs been a long time. I came in here for a while, and it&aposs great to be back in position again, and I just haven&apost been on this position for a really long time. I was really happy out there and really enjoyed, and the gallery here are awesome and they give us very big support, and I just love every part of the golf out there and really enjoyed every shot. Tseng held the No. 1 position in the Rolex Rankings for 109 consecutive weeks until being overtaken by Stacy Lewis at this year s RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup. Since the tournament in March, Tseng has posted only one top-20 finish and has missed the past four out of five cuts. She ll be playing with close friend Suzann Pettersen in the final round. There&aposs no one that I&aposd rather see playing better and playing well again than Yani, said Pettersen. I know she&aposs been through a very rough patch. Like I said to her, she&aposs just got to stay patient. She&aposs too good not to kind of hang tough and be in the game. But it&aposs fun to see, and hopefully we&aposll play together. 2013 LPGA Tour rookie Austin Ernst went on an early routing of the track at Columbia Edgewater Country Club and tied the course record with a 10-under 62. She tied Annika Sorenstam (2002- 2nd round) and Beth Daniel (2003- 1st round) for the record and did so playing by herself in the first tee time of the day at 7:30am local time.
Author: LPGA