GUADALAJARA: US Women’s Open champion Paula Creamer carded a 6-under par 66 on Friday to claim a one-shot lead over Norwegian Suzann Pettersen in the LPGA Lorena Ochoa Invitational.
Creamer birdied two of the final three holes at Guadalajara Country Club for a 10-under total of 134. Pettersen posted a 65 for 135, one shot in front of Stacy Lewis who carded a 69 for 136. “Consistently, I’m rolling the putts the way that I want to, and that’s all I can ask for is to give myself as many opportunities as I can.”
Creamer was runner-up here last year behind Michelle Wie, who withdrew Thursday with a back injury after a disappointing first-round 78. “Coming in second last year, I definitely wanted to come back and give myself a good chance to win,” Creamer said.
Former world number one Ochoa, who retired earlier this year but is making a cameo appearance in her namesake event, followed her first-round 74 with a 71 that left her in 26th place. Overnight leader Cristie Kerr followed her tournament-record 64 with a 76 that included two double bogeys and was tied for 14th.
Pettersen, meanwhile, birdied six holes on the back nine, including the last. She has 10 top-five finishes this season, but hasn’t won.
