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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 1:11 p.m., Saturday, June 7, 2008

Golf: Ochoa stumbles as Lee takes lead

By DOUG FERGUSON
Associated Press Golf Writer

HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. — Stifling heat that turned Bulle Rock into an oven cooked up quite a surprise today in the McDonald's LPGA Championship — a rare stumble by Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam in the hunt and a one-shot lead for Jee Young Lee.

Lee, one of the longest hitters on the LPGA Tour, played her final four holes in 4-under par and surged into the lead with a 7-under 65. She was a shot ahead of Maria Hjorth of Sweden, another big hitter, who did most of her work early and also shot 65.

What looked like smooth sailing for Ochoa and her big for a third straight major took a detour when she nearly whiffed on a wedge in the rough, went eight holes before making a birdie and had to rally for an even-par 72.

Even so, she was only two shots behind and tied for third with Sorenstam, who shot a 68.

It could have been a dream scenario at Bulle Rock with Sorenstam and Ochoa playing together in the second-to-last group. But LPGA officials, fearful of more fog that delayed the start of the third round by three hours, decided on threesomes for the final round.

That puts Sorenstam in the final group with Lee and Hjorth, her best chance to win a major since she won the U.S. Women's Open at Newport two years ago. Sorenstam could tie the record with a fourth LPGA Championship, which would be even more meaningful because she has announced that she will retire at the end of the year.

Ochoa has won the last two majors with a comfortable lead going into the last day, and now faces a free-for-all at Bulle Rock. Ten players were within five shots of the lead.

Lee won an LPGA Tour even in her native South Korea three years ago when she was 19.

"I've been waiting to win the tournament ever since I came to the United States," she said through a translator. "And to win the major tournament here would be really exciting for me. And I'm really looking forward to winning this tournament."

Lee was at 12-under 204.