KERR KEEPS GRINDING

Ten years after winning the U.S. Women’s Open, Cristie Kerr is in position to win it again. The LPGA veteran has battled back spasms throughout the week to climb into the top-10, and as the old saying goes, beware the injured golfer.

“Pure insanity. Just grit, just determination like any other tournament in the world,” Kerr said about fighting through the pain this week. “You would think about just going home but not this one. I had to try to just stick it through.”

Kerr opened with rounds of 69 – 73 and followed up with a two-under par, 70 including a string of 13 consecutive pars to finish of her day, many were saves from long range. Her two-under round was enough to lift her from a tie for 14th to eighth and five-back of the lead heading into Sunday.

“Scores really haven’t gone anywhere. They really kind of messed with the pins a bit and they wanted to keep the score kind of where it was and hopefully I can have a great day tomorrow.”

Click here for more on Kerr’s 2007 U.S. Women’s Open victory.

PARK PUTS IT IN DRIVE

Saturday afternoon, Sung Hyun Park threw her hands up in the air and then on to the white cap atop her head in disbelief as her approach to the 18^th green backed up and narrowly missed dropping into the cup. Park converted the putt for her sixth birdie of the day, all of which came on her second nine, to post a five-under, 67 on moving day at the U.S. Women’s Open.

“Well, to be honest with you, I feel like some load off my chest. I was a bit frustrated my first two rounds,” Park said about her opening rounds of 73 - 70. “I am probably more excited about tomorrow and anticipation is raised.”

Anticipation has been high for the 2017 rookie who won seven times last season on the KLPGA and earned the nickname of ‘Shut up and Attack.’ While she currently leads the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year standings, with four top-5s so far this season, Park has another goal she’s striving for this year.

“I want to win. It may seem like I am in a rush to win but I believe I have improved after each and every tournament,” Park told LPGA.com. “I will do my best to accomplish this goal until the last tournament of the season.”

It might not take her that long. Park is currently three-strokes back at six-under par with one round to play. She held the 36-hole lead at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2016 at CordeValle where she finished third after weekend rounds of back-to-back 74s.

“Last year I came here as, I guess, a non-member. But, I got very valuable experience playing there last year,” Park said. “That kind of provided me the solid ground to come back here. And with that experience and learning, I hope that I will have a good finish.”

The transition from KLPGA to LPGA has been an easy one for Park. The biggest difference has been traveling farther between Tour stops than she did on the KLPGA, but she’s also had a less strenuous schedule.

“I have a lot more time to think about golf,” Park told LPGA.com. “Compared to my time in the KLPGA, I have had a slightly more relaxed schedule this year which has allowed me to spend more time thinking about my golf style and analyze my game and weaknesses.”

It’s hard to find many weaknesses when your name is atop the leaderboard in a major championship.

LEE HAVING FUN

After a good night’s sleep, Mirim Lee admits to being in better condition physically ahead of round three. With a bogey-free, 67, Lee moves into contention at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open Conducted by the USGA.

Although she was not satisfied with her tee shots, she felt her iron play and putting saved her on several occasions. Lee closed with birdies on No. 17 and No. 18 to finish with five birdies to sit at 5-under par heading into the final round.

Course conditions were “pretty hard, pretty tough,” said Lee. “I think it's pretty good except maybe some fairways were a bit soft. But, other than that, I think overall the conditions are excellent.”

What will it take for Lee to win her first major championship?

“I probably have to pace myself, maybe especially on the green, and I'll probably have to pay attention close to my tee shots as well,” said Lee.

She is certainly capable of going low in majors having carded an opening round 64 at CordeValle and an opening round of 62 at the 2016 Ricoh Women’s British Open, so don’t count her out tomorrow.

She is excited heading into the final round at Trump National Golf Club and said, “I'm actually having fun. I'm excited but also having fun as well.”

Kerr Keeps Grinding, Park Puts It In Drive and More from U.S. Women's Open

Related Articles