Alfredsson has lead at Safeway Classic

Aug 24, 2008 - 1:12 PM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Helen Alfredsson holds a one-shot lead entering Sunday's final round of the $1.7 million Safeway Classic at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club.

The Swede shot a 5-under-par 67 on Saturday, putting her at 10-under 134, one stroke in front of countrywoman Sophie Gustafson.

Gustafson, who stood at 11-under after 15 holes, had bogeys on Nos. 16 and 17 which sent her to the clubhouse with a 68.

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.

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 67 on Saturday, putting her in the group at 6-under. She collected 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.

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.

First prize is $255,000.