Henderson stays on top at Swinging Skirts

SAN FRANCISCO: Canadian teenager Brooke Henderson clung to a one-shot lead in the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic on Saturday after an even-par 72 in the third round.
Henderson, who had seized the lead on Friday with a sizzling 65, had a 54-hole total of nine-under par 207 and a one-stroke lead over American Morgan Pressel and South Korea’s Kwak Min-Seo.
Pressel carded a five-under 67, while Kwak posted a 69 for 208.
They were two strokes in front of world number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand, the first-round leader who posted a one-under 71 for 210.
Henderson, a 17-year-old seeking her first tour win after turning pro this year, stretched her lead to as many as five strokes, but faltered down the stretch.
She moved to 10-under with an opening birdie, but gave the shot back at the next hole. After a birdie at the par-five sixth, she reeled off seven straight pars before she got up and down for birdie at the par-five 14th.
Leading by three with four to play, she closed with back-to-back bogeys to see her lead dwindle to one heading into the final round.
“It was a great day out there. It was really tough conditions and I was able to play really well,” Henderson said. “Couple of times my short game needed to bail me out, and it was able to do that, especially the first 16 holes.
“The last two, unfortunately I dropped two shots. Overall it was a great day and I’m really happy to be where I am.”