McPherson claws into lead; Rosales adrift

RANCHO MIRAGE, California – Kristy McPherson shot a 2-under 70 on a hot, calm Saturday to take sole possession of the lead in the Kraft Nabisco Championship at 8-under 208.

Fellow American and 2007 US Open winner Cristie Kerr (70) was one shot back at Mission Hills.

McPherson, with six career top-10 finishes but no victories, was playing in the Kraft Nabisco for the first time. On Friday, McPherson and Christina Kim teed off before strong wind raked the Coachella Valley and jumped into a tie for the lead in the first women’s major of the season.

Kim faltered in the third round with a 75 and was five shots back. Jimin Kang and Lindsey Wright both shot 71 and were four shots back.

Jennifer Rosales made three straight bogeys from No. 15 and wound up with a birdie-less 75 to remain way behind McPherson with a 54-hole haul of 227, 19 strokes behind. (AP)