Lewis grabs surprise lead at Interlachen

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-30  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

JUST 19 days after turning professional, American Stacy Lewis stole the limelight from the game's best players by grabbing a one-shot lead in the US Women's Open third round on Saturday.

Rolling the ball beautifully on the difficult, sloping greens at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, Lewis fired a flawless six-under-par 67 to take control of the third women's major of the year.

The 23-year-old, who earlier this month led the US amateurs to Curtis Cup victory over Britain and Ireland, sank a curling seven-footer to birdie the last for a nine-under total of 210.

As her ball disappeared into the cup for her 23rd putt of the round, she bent at the knee and pumped her right fist in celebration.

"It's been such a great week," a beaming Lewis told reporters after ending a blustery day one ahead of American world No. 4 Paula Creamer (69).

"Truthfully I'm not really that surprised to be in this position. I felt like I could compete at this level. It was kind of my goal to put myself into contention to win going into the last day."

Lewis turned professional on June 9 to compete in a sectional qualifier in her home state of Texas for this week's US Women's Open. She won that qualifier by four shots to keep her dream month alive.

Three off the pace after the weather-delayed second round ended earlier on Saturday, Lewis birdied the second, fourth and eighth to lead five players atop the leaderboard.

Out in three-under 33, she picked up further shots at the 14th, where she holed a 25-footer, the 15th and the last to wrest the initiative from a band of experienced players.

Creamer, seeking her seventh LPGA victory at the age of 21, failed to birdie the par-five last to stay one shot behind at eight-under.

However, she was delighted to be in the hunt for her maiden major title. "I couldn't ask for any better position," Creamer said. "I've done the work so far and tomorrow I just have to go out and finish the deal."