Alfredsson shoots 67, takes lead at Safeway Classic

Aug 24, 2008 - 4:47 AM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Helen Alfredsson grabbed a one-shot lead after Saturday's second round of the $1.7 million Safeway Classic at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club.

The Swede shot a 5-under-par 67 for the second day in a row, putting her at 10-under, one shot ahead of countrywoman Sophie Gustafson.

"I think I've been striking it much, much better, and I think a little bit more with confidence," Alfredsson said. "Before, I felt like the ball really could go anywhere, and it was a struggle all the time."

Gustafson, who stood at 11-under after 15 holes, was pleased with her round despite consecutive bogeys on Nos. 16 and 17 that sent her to the clubhouse with a 68.

"I thought that it was pretty good," Gustafson said. "I hit a lot of fairways, which is going to set you up for good birdie opportunities on the course."

Kelli Kuehne sits in a tie for third place with Paula Creamer after posting a 2-under 70. After finishing her round Friday with eight birdies over the last 12 holes, the 27-year-old Kuehne tallied five birdies and three bogeys to climb within striking distance heading into Sunday's final round.

"Well, I'm hanging around for tomorrow, so I'm doing pretty good," Kuehne said. "My year has been pretty sporadic. I think that I have improved a lot, but I'm struggling a lot with consistency. When I play great, I play great. But when I play poorly, I've struggled shooting 4- to 6-over."

Creamer shot a 4-under 68, registering five birdies and a bogey.

Cristie Kerr, who carded a 5-under 67, leads a group of seven players that sits at 6-under. She birdied four consecutive holes on her way to a 33 on the front nine.

Katherine Hull, who captured the Canadian Women's Open last week, followed her breakthrough victory with a 1-under 71 on Friday and a 5-under 67 on Saturday, putting her in the group at 6-under. She tallied five birdies without a bogey in the second round.

Hull closed last week with a 69 to hold off Se Ri Pak by one stroke and keep Laurena Ochoa, the world's top ranked player, from repeating. It was Hull's first career title.

Angela Park, the leader after the first round, struggled throughout on Saturday. In search of her first career LPGA title in her second year on tour, Park tallied four birdies, three bogeys and a double-bogey en route to a 1-over 73, leaving her five shots behind Alfredsson.

Karrie Webb and Ochoa also sit at 5-under for the tournament.

"Today was very up and down. It was a roller-coaster," Ochoa said. "I tried hard, but it didn't happen. I kept making mistakes, especially missing short putts. I'm disappointed, but I also have a chance."

The defending champion, Ochoa finished at 12-under 204 for a five-stroke victory last year. She entered the final round with a one-shot lead but pulled away for her third consecutive win.

This season has been more of the same for Ochoa, but she is in a but of a slump, if you can call it that.

Ochoa has posted an LPGA Tour-leading six wins this season, but her last came in May at the Sybase Classic. The Mexican still tops the money list with just over $2.3 million and has 13 top-10 finishes in 15 starts.

The cut Saturday was even-par 144.

First prize is $255,000.