Surprising Lewis leads at U.S. Women's Open

Jun 29, 2008 - 1:34 PM By Andrew Both PA SportsTicker Golf Writer

EDINA, Minnesota (Ticker) -- Stacy Lewis owns a one-shot lead entering Sunday's final round of the U.S. Women's Open.

Lewis, who turned pro less than three weeks ago, compiled a brilliant third round to vault atop the leaderboard.

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 is one-stroke ahead of fellow American Paula Creamer (69) and two in front of Swede Helen Alfredsson (71) and Korean Inbee Park (71).

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.

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.

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.