FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Annika Sorenstam shot an even-par 72 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the U.S. Senior Women's Open.
The 50-year-old Sorenstam, a three-time U.S. Women's Open champion making her first appearance in the senior event, had an 8-under 208 total at Brooklawn Country Club. Husband Mike McGee is working as her caddie.
"It was a roller-coaster," Sorenstam said. "It was not as solid as the first two days. A few putts falling would have made it really sweet."
Playing partner and fellow Swede Liselotte Neumann was second, closing with a bogey for a 71. She won the 1988 U.S. Women's Open to become the first Swedish major champion.
"A little bit up and down today," Neumann said. "Good putting, good short game, and I think starting the back nine, I started to get a little bit more comfortable. Overall, it sort of got better and better as the day went."
Sorenstam has pointed to the championship since turning 50 in October.
"I would love to do well, of course," Sorenstam said. "That is why I came here. I feel like I'm as prepared as I can be. I just want to trust myself and enjoy the walk. Hopefully I can keep it in the short grass."
European Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew was 4 under after a 71. Laura Davies (68) and Yuko Saito (74) were 2 under, and Kris Tschetter was even par after a 75.
U.S. Senior Women's Open Scores
Saturday
At Brooklawn Country Club
Fairfield, Conn.
Purse: $1 million
Yardage: 5,959; Par: 72
(a)amateur
Third Round
Annika Sorenstam 67-69-72-208
Liselotte Neumann 70-69-71-210
Catriona Matthew 71-70-71-212
Laura Davies 71-75-68-214
Yuko Saito 70-70-74-214
Kris Tschetter 69-72-75-216
Michelle McGann 73-72-72-217
Rosie Jones 71-70-76-217
Dana Ebster 67-74-76-217
Ellen Port (a) 71-69-77-217
Helen Alfredsson 74-72-72-218
Kimberly Williams 72-72-74-218
Juli Inkster 73-74-72-219
Barbara Moxness 72-76-72-220
Trish Johnson 76-72-72-220
Christa Johnson 74-71-75-220
Suzy Green-Roebuck 71-74-75-220
Tammie Green 74-75-72-221
Cheryl Anderson 74-76-71-221
Martha Leach (a) 74-76-71-221
Lisa DePaulo 76-74-71-221
Jamie Fischer 73-76-73-222
Jacqueline Gallagher-Smith 76-73-73-222
Becky Iverson 76-71-75-222
Nicole Jeray 71-76-75-222
Cindy Schreyer 73-78-71-222
Karen Weiss 77-70-76-223
Michele Redman 74-76-73-223
Sue Ginter 73-75-76-224
Lisa Grimes 75-75-74-224
Nanci Bowen 75-74-75-224
Laura Coble (a) 74-73-77-224
Lara Tennant (a) 76-76-72-224
Maggie Will 77-72-76-225
Corey Weworski (a) 75-77-73-225
Sherry Andonian 74-74-78-226
Hollis Stacy 75-75-76-226
Jennifer Cully 77-74-75-226
Sue Wooster (a) 74-78-74-226
Kasumi Fujii 75-74-78-227
Lynne Cowan (a) 74-77-76-227
Julie Piers 75-76-76-227
Tonya Gill Danckaert 75-75-78-228
Cathy Johnston-Forbes 77-74-77-228
Danielle Ammaccapane 76-75-77-228
Carolyn Hill 73-79-76-228
Laurie Rinker 75-77-76-228
Dina Ammaccapane 77-73-79-229
Elaine Crosby 77-74-78-229
Laura Shanahan Rowe 78-73-78-229
Kristi Albers 76-75-79-230
Missie Berteotti W/D