Rosales leads U.S. Women's Open by 3 shots

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Posted 7:23AM on Sunday, July 4, 2004

SOUTH HADLEY, MASSACHUESETS - A swift charge by Annika Sorenstam. Massive cheers for Michelle Wie. None of it bothered Jennifer Rosales, who surged ahead with a 2-under 69 on Saturday in a U.S. Women's Open that is shaping up as one for the ages. A free spirit with her own sense of fashion, Rosales pumped her fists and slapped hands with her caddie around Orchard Golf Club until she walked off the 18th with a three-shot lead over Sorenstam, Meg Mallon and Kelly Robbins. Rosales was at 7-under 206 and now faces the real test - a final round at the biggest event in women's golf, with the No. 1 player in the world not far behind on a golf course that is starting to punish the slightest mistakes. Wie found that out on an 18th hole that spoiled her day. The 14-year-old from Hawaii recovered from a poor front nine with shots beyond her years, the most impressive an 8-iron into 6 feet for birdie on the 439-yard 16th hole, the third-longest in Women's Open history. But it all came undone on the 18th, when her drive bounced into the rough, her approach sailed into the gallery and she three-putted for double bogey and a 71 that left her at 1-under 212, in a tie for seventh but still six shots behind Rosales. Wie has been in contention twice at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, but this major is different. "Over here, you never know what's going to happen," Wie said. One thing that never changes is Sorenstam in contention. The best player in women's golf recovered from two bogeys on the first four holes with a couple of bursts - back-to-back birdies to make the turn at even par, then a 20-foot eagle putt on the par-5 13th and a shot out of the rough to 12 feet for birdie on the next hole. Sorenstam wound up with a 70 and will play in the next-to-last group. "I didn't get off to the start I wanted, but I kept grinding," Sorenstam said. "One under is pretty good at the U.S. Open on Saturday." Only seven players managed to break par on a gorgeous, summer afternoon in New England that began to dry out the fairways and put a higher premium on tee shots. Mallon, born in Massachusetts and beloved everywhere because of her infectious, freckle-faced smile, turned in the best round of the day with a 67 that put her at 209 and in the final group with Rosales. Sorenstam will play with Robbins, who briefly shared the lead with four birdies on the front nine. Robbins lost in a three-way playoff last year at Pumpkin Ridge, where she had to play defensive golf on a dry course that kept her from hitting driver off the tee. Rachel Teske (70) was at 210, while Michelle Ellis (72) was another stroke behind. Wie was among 11 players still under par, while 17-year-old Paula Creamer bogeyed the last hole for a 72 that left her at even-par 213. "It's a great mix of veterans, the No. 1 player in the world and players that want to be a professional some day," Mallon said. "It's going to be a fun day tomorrow." It all starts with Rosales, a 25-year-old Filipino who only two months ago won for the first time on the LPGA Tour. She was a nervous wreck that day in Atlanta, pacing the parking lot while waiting to see if anyone could catch her. So, what's it like to be leading the Women's Open by three shots? "I don't think it's hit me yet," Rosales said, still wearing her headband and tinted shades. "When I get to my room and shower and chill out, that's when I'll think about it." The only other time Rosales had a 54-hole lead was two years ago at the Women's British Open at Turnberry. She was tied with Carin Koch, shot 73 and wound up four shots behind Karrie Webb. Three weeks ago, Rosales played in the final group with Sorenstam at the LPGA Championship and simply couldn't keep up as the 33-year-old Swede rolled to her seventh major. Mallon and Robbins also have won majors, so Rosales clearly has something to prove. "She's playing some really good golf," Sorenstam said. "She has a lot of confidence. I think that win in Atlanta has really turned her game around. It's working for her, and I think this course probably fits her game." As for the kids, don't count them out. The USGA is starting to look smart for giving Wie a special exemption, a decision that privately irritated some LPGA Tour players who thought she should earn her way in like everyone else. A huge crowd awaited her arrival to the first tee, and the Orchards shook with noise when Wie stuck her approach into 4 feet for birdie on the opening hole. But it all started to slip away with a tee shot she hooked into the woods to make bogey on the par-5 third, and she was 2 over for her round after the seventh hole. She rallied to get within three shots of the lead at one point until the double bogey on No. 18. "I came back, and I'm real proud of myself for that," Wie said. So was Creamer, who twice recovered from back-to-back bogeys. She has enough power in her game to produce something magical Sunday. Others can rely on their experience or, in the case of Sorenstam, sheer skill. "You've got a little bit of everything," Pat Hurst said. "It's up for grabs."

Rosales leads U.S. Women&#39;s Open by 3 shots

Rosales leads U.S. Women's Open by 3 shots