Ochoa seizes control, Jenny 12 shots off

PRATTVILLE, Alabama – Defending champion Lorena Ochoa shot a 6-under 66 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead in the Navistar LPGA Classic, leaving 14-year-old American Alexis Thompson eight strokes behind.

Ochoa, second last week behind Sophie Gustafson in California, had a 16-under 200 total on The Senator course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Capitol Hill complex. She birdied six of her final 12 holes in the bogey-free round.

Jennifer Rosales hardly improved with a two-birdie, one-bogey stint in the third round as she carded a one-under 71 for joint 45th at 212, 12 strokes off the pace.

“It was a good day,” Ochoa said. “I didn’t make birdies early. I think my first birdie was on hole No. 7. Once I made that, then I just give myself more of a better feeling and a good rhythm. I birdied No. 8, the par 5, and No. 9, so I think that was a really important part of my round, just to be on the red numbers for the day.” (AP)