Feng Holds 54 Hole Lead At Volvik LPGA

Olympic Bronze medalist Shanshan Feng took a one stroke lead at the LPGA Volvik Championship on Saturday, carding a bogey-free 66. Feng was three strokes back at the start of the day.

“I started the round a little slowly,” Feng said.  “I was only 1 under through like eight holes and then I made like two putts in a row on the ninth and tenth.  After that I was just feeling like, oh, I can start making birdies and I was more comfortable also. ”

Feng actually was one shot back of leader Lizette Salas as she arrived at the eighteenth. A close approach shot led to a birdie that put Feng at -15, tying Salas. Up to that point, Salas had the hottest hand of the day, having birdied 9, 10, 13, 14 and 15. Salas, however, faltered on the final hole, stubbing a chip and finishing with a bogey. The miscue let Feng slip into sole possession of the lead.

“Finishing like that really just gets under my skin,” Salas said. “I think that is going to be an extra push for tomorrow, too.  I had a two‑shot lead and now I’m one back.  You know, but that’s golf.  You hit great ones, you hit bad ones, and unfortunately that bad one was on my last hole today.  I hit the ball amazing today, I putted really great.  Just I think everything’s coming together, and I think if I just stay patient and stay still for a little extra second, things will be great for me tomorrow.”

Suzann Pettersen, who was T-2 heading into the round is in sole possession of third after 54.  Although Pettersen had eased into first mid-round, she finished in the same position she started: two behind the leader.

Complete third round results for the Volvik LPGA Championship follow:
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