Defending champion Michelle Wie, fellow Korean-American Tiffany Joh and Japan’s Ai Miyazato shared the lead after Saturday’s third round of the $2.25 million LPGA Canadian Women’s Open. Wie fired a four-under par 68 and Joh, an LPGA rookie, shot a 65 while Miyazato, who shared the lead when the day began, fired a 71 to leave the trio deadlocked atop the leaderboard at 12-under par 204 through 54 holes. Concern over approaching Hurricane Irene prompted organizers to advance the start of the final round to Sunday morning and play in threesomes, putting the top trio together and nine rivals within three strokes on their heels.
“The forecast doesn’t look good,” Wie said. “It’s a pretty quick turnaround but I think it’s a pretty good thing they are starting early.” Rain is expected to start about the time the leaders tee off Sunday. “It depends on the weather,” Miyazato said. “It’s going to be the same thing — just be patient and try to make some birdies.” Americans Brittany Lincicome and Angela Stanford were one stroke adrift sharing fourth, one stroke ahead of compatriot Cristie Kerr, Becky Morgan of Wales and South Koreans Jiyai Shin, Na Yeon Choi and Song-Hee Kim. “There are a lot of people hovering around,” Wie said.
