[wazmankg]

I think Ochoa is due for a 75. A lot will depend on the weather. I don't see anyone making a big move low, except Annika. She's due. It should be a great Sunday finish, with Ochoa, Wie, Webb, maybe Paula & Annika in the mix. I'd like to see Julie Inkster get into it, but her putter is giving her some problems... even in her win last week she was a bit shaky on the greens. As for Gulbis, she has about the funkiest swing and putting style I've ever seen on a top notch female. The swing works for her, I guess, but if that's the best she can do with that wretched putting style she needs to go back to square one. She was missing straight-in 12 footers by a foot left & right yesterday.

[billybogey5 1/2]

Originally Posted by wazmankg

As for Gulbis, she has about the funkiest swing and putting style I've ever seen on a top notch female. The swing works for her, I guess, but if that's the best she can do with that wretched putting style she needs to go back to square one.

I was hoping someone would mention Gulbis' putting style. She looks like the reincarnation of Happy Girlmore!

[rodney_c]

I checked the leaderboard, and Ochoa was gone to -10, just 3 ahead.
Unfortunately Wie wasn't in 2nd, but she only dropped one shot, and so is still well in the hunt at -6.

Next I checked for Creamer and went down the leaderboard to discover that she had bogies in each of her first 3 holes. Horrendous start for her.

Annika at -2 is still in with a slight chance, because I still think the winning score will be about -8 or so. However Annika is making plenty of mistakes. She has 3 birdies so far, but has practically offset them with 2 bogies. I would have expected better from Annika. Whatever about how many birdies, I didn't expect her to give up so many shots. 8 bogies in 2 and a half rounds. Wie by contrast has just 3 bogies. You would have maybe thought that Annika's maturity would have her at the 3 figure.

[rodney_c]

AMAZING

ANNIKA ON THE PAR 5s.

After 2 and a half days of competition, Annika is -7 on the par 5s. Her total score is just -2.

That is 7 birdies and 3 pars, so -7 for 10 holes on the par 5's.
By contrast Wie is just -2 on par par 5's having played 9 of these holes.

Arn't those amazing stats. Annika is really taking care of the par 5's and would be way back without them. Wie on the other hand is right up the leaderboard despite being quite ordinary on the par 5's. Not the way many people would have called it.

[stlcard_25]

Ochoa leads by 3 going into Sunday. She doesn't seem to handle pressure well so if Michelle can go out and shoot a couple under she could easily win the thing.

[wazmankg]

Lorena & Michelle in the last group tomorrow. Michelle 3 back. A lot of missed opportunities on the greens for Michelle. It should be a good finish.

[davehowe]

By the way, I just don't understand Wie doubters. How many LPGA majors does she need to be in the top 5 in for the doubters to see the obvious; she's an awesome golfer. The wins will obviously come, but the fact that she is always in the top pack makes it crystal clear that she is one of the top players. Mathematically, the 2nd best, according to the world rankings (after updating for this tourney)

[skaghetti]

Originally Posted by stlcard_25

Ochoa leads by 3 going into Sunday. She doesn't seem to handle pressure well so if Michelle can go out and shoot a couple under she could easily win the thing.

if ochoa is considered the "choker" in the final pairing the rest of the field should be licking their chops

[steffies]

Wow did Creamer have a bad day, almost an 80 there. Some pretty high scores posted today and a couple of good ones. Notably Barbie, ermm I mean Natalie Gulbis. with her low round of 68.

[stlcard_25]

Originally Posted by skaghetti

if ochoa is considered the "choker" in the final pairing the rest of the field should be licking their chops

I just view Lorena as someone who doesn't perform well when she's under the gun. Call me crazy, but I'm going out on a limb...Michelle wins tomorrow by a shot at -9.

[stagday]

Originally Posted by stlcard_25

I just view Lorena as someone who doesn't perform well when she's under the gun. Call me crazy, but I'm going out on a limb...Michelle wins tomorrow by a shot at -9.

both the 18th hole here and in Atlanta may decide the winner. should make for an interesting day in golf, but it's hard to beat length, especially in majors.

I'm wondering if Pelz cringes when he see's Gulbis putt.

[JudD]

Originally Posted by stlcard_25

I just view Lorena as someone who doesn't perform well when she's under the gun. Call me crazy, but I'm going out on a limb...Michelle wins tomorrow by a shot at -9.

It almost seems as though Michelle is playing too cautiously or she just doesn't have her irons zoned in. Because of her not-so-great putting at times (which has improved somewhat), she needs to get those irons more dialed in so she has more gimme type putts.

If her putting goes to one of her better days and the rest of her game hangs in there, she could be right there at the end but then again if someone further back gets a hot hand, it's anyone's game.

[rodney_c]

Originally Posted by stlcard_25

I just view Lorena as someone who doesn't perform well when she's under the gun. Call me crazy, but I'm going out on a limb...Michelle wins tomorrow by a shot at -9.

I predicted the winning score to be -8. I'm actually think it could be even -7. I don't think anyone is going to come shooting out of the pack.
Seon Hwa Lee could possibly shoot 69, but that would only take her to -7. I don't really think anyone bar Wie and Ochoa can realistically beat that.

I predict Ochoa to shoot about 75-76.
So if Wie can go around in about -1, she has a great chance. This assumes pretty difficult conditions again.
Expect Annika to shoot -4 or 5 and not to be that far away.
Expect a 75 or more from Guilbis, or at least a comedown from the 68 which was an excellent round.

[rodney_c]

Round 3
some interesting scores.

Paula Creamer 79. It started bad, and didn't get much better. A birdie at the last saved her from an 80.

Yuri Fudoh 69. Better play from the world number 3. Maybe showing a bit more why she wins so much in Japan. However too far back to challenge.

Annika Sorenstam 71, 72, 73. People have been waiting for a birdie blitz. It sort of came, but too many bogies cancelled them out.

Morgan Pressel 69, 76, 70, much better stuff following the 76. Another high finish on the cards. Maybe she is going through the one bad round per tournament syndrome.

Karrie Webb 70, 68, 76. Very disappointing for her after being right up there. She has only a small chance of winning.

Natalie Gulbis 73, 71, 68. Steadily improving throughout the tournament. An excellent round 3.

Seon Hwa Lee 69 69 74. Disappointing round 3, but still in there at -4.

Shi Hyun Ahn 70, 71, 71. Going through quitely. Has anyone noticed her? And yet she is in with a great chance at -4.

Michelle Wie 66, 71, 73. Great 1st round. 2nd round proabably just as good, given the difficult conditions. 3rd day score not quite so good, but good enough to still have a great chance, and didn't shoot herself out of the tournament, unlike her final pairing partner, and more experienced, Karrie Webb.

Lorena Ochoa 62, 71, 74. Spectacular round 1. Steady round 2. Round 3 was more average, but the pressure is surely mounting on her having led from the start of the tournament.

[bogiedreamer]

Michelle is now 2 behind after 7 holes. Very interesting, I think it will come down to who can perform under pressure from now on, the pressure will keep building and building until one of them buckle. I am ready to watch it on CBS.