Anna Nordqvist of Sweden built her lead to four strokes over Michelle Wie and top-ranked Inbee Park of South Korea by shooting 5-under-par 67 in the third round of the Honda LPGA Thailand on the Pattaya Old Course at Siam Country Club in Chonburi, Thailand.
Nordqvist, seeking her first victory on the LPGA Tour since she won the McDonald’s LPGA Championship and the LPGA Tour Championship as a rookie in 2009, was at even par through nine holes and lost her lead to Wie.
However, the former Arizona State All-American went back on top with a tap-in eagle on the 10th hole.
“Any time you can tap in an eagle you’re pretty happy,” said Nordqvist, who added three birdies to play the back nine in 5-under 31. “I mean, I watched the leaderboard and saw nobody was really running away. I knew there were a couple birdies on the back nine, but the wind picked up a little bit, so made it a little bit tougher.
“I finished with a bogey (in round two), so a little bit of a revenge going into 18. Great shot from 50 yards up to the pin. Felt really good to make (a birdie) and to leave the 18th green with some good mojo, and I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Wie posted a bogey-free 69, but couldn’t stay with Nordqvist on the back nine while finishing with eight consecutive pars.
Park, playing competitively for the first time this year, birdied the first two holes and after her only bogey of the day at No. 8, reeled off four consecutive birdies through No. 13.
Julieta Granada of Paraguay was five shots back in solo fourth after a 71.
Yani Tseng of Taiwan recorded a 66 and was six strokes back in a tie for fifth with Cristie Kerr, who shot 68, Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who had a 69, and Lexi Thompson, who also came in at 69.
