Surprising Lewis in front at U.S. Women's Open

Jun 29, 2008 - 1:03 AM By Andrew Both PA SportsTicker Golf Writer

EDINA, Minnesota (Ticker) -- Stacy Lewis overcame long odds just to play golf without excruciating pain. Overcoming the best female players may be child's play by comparison.

Lewis, who turned pro less than three weeks ago, compiled a brilliant third round to take the lead at the U.S. Women's Open on Saturday.

Playing with a maturity and assurance way beyond her 23 years, Lewis tamed strong winds for a bogey-free 6-under-par 67 at Interlachen Country Club.

With a 9-under 210 total after 54 holes, Lewis has a one-stroke ahead of fellow American Paula Creamer (69) and two in front of Swede Helen Alfredsson (71) and Korean Inbee Park (71).

"Truthfully, I'm not really surprised," Lewis said. "I felt I could play and compete at this level. It was my goal to put myself in contention to win going into the last day. I only play to win."

Just four weeks ago, Lewis led the United States to victory over Great Britain and Ireland at the Curtis Cup at St Andrews, and she turned pro less than three weeks ago, on the day she qualified to play here.

Not that those who have followed her amateur career are all that surprised by her seemingly stunning performance, because last year she tied for fifth at a major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Lewis has endured a long and painful road to this position. At 11, she was diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, and she had to wear a hard plastic brace 18 hours a day for the next seven years.

However, that did not correct her problem, so at 18 she had major surgery, a rod and five screws inserted into her back.

"It was very serious," she said. "When I found out I had to have surgery, I thought I was done playing golf forever. I was crying, because I just wanted to play college golf.

"I had to wear a brace for another three months while I was recovering from the surgery, and then I couldn't bend or twist for six months, or lift more than five pounds."

But the surgery was successful and her back, while not perfect, stood up to the rigors of a successful college career at Arkansas.

And after all she has been through, you can almost believe Lewis when she says she will sleep well on the lead.

"I'm not even going to think about tomorrow's round until tomorrow comes," she said. "I played in some professional events as an amateur and I think those situations have really helped me to be in this position now."

But Lewis is wise not to plan her victory speech, not with some very good players breathing down her neck.

The closest is Creamer, who expressed satisfaction with her position, despite missing a good birdie chance at the last.

"I feel very confident," said the 21-year-old, who already has won twice this year. "I'm enjoying it and trying not to put too much pressure on myself.

"As long as I put myself in position on Sunday, that's all you can do. I love where I'm at. Ask me tomorrow how I feel."

Alfredsson and Park cannot be discounted either, while Annika Sorenstam, seven shots behind, is probably too far back to have a chance in her final Open.

"I'm about to cry," said Sorenstam, a three-time Open champion, lamenting a frustrating putting performance. "I cannot hit the ball any better and I really don't know what to do."