Ochoa zeroing in on first win since May

Sep 27, 2008 - 10:39 PM PRATTVILLE, Alabama (Ticker) -- Lorena Ochoa is closing in on her first win in more than four months.

The world No. 1 carded a 3-under-par 69 to move into a share of the lead with rookie Louise Friberg after the third round of the $1.4 million Navistar Classic on Saturday.

Ochoa, who recorded seven birdies Friday to pull within one stroke of the lead, followed it up with another stellar day. The 26-year-old Mexican overcame a slow start, in which she bogeyed the par-4 No. 1, with birdies on three of the next four holes and moved to 13-under par 203 for the course.

"Overall, I think it was a good round," Ochoa said. "I think as long as you make birdies and give yourself chances, it will be there. There's nothing I need to change. I'm going to try to do the same for tomorrow."

Ochoa's only slip up on the back nine came when she bogeyed the par-4 14th hole. She is seeking her first win since the Sybase Classic on May 18 - a span of seven starts.

"I think if you just put too much pressure on yourself, I think you are there trying to win a tournament, sometimes it's harder to play," Ochoa said.

"You know, be relaxed and try to have a good time together. It's just one more round of golf and it's important to think that way. Nothing is going to happen if you play good or if you play bad. It's just one more day."

Friberg, who notched seven birdies to register a 7-under 65, is in pursuit of her second career win. The Swede won the MasterCard Classic in March.

"I think it's great that she played that good, and I saw the leaderboard on 18 and it seems like she made a lot of birdies. Hopefully I make them tomorrow myself," Ochoa said.

Friberg played a flawless round, which was highlighted by a torrid stretch in which she birdied six of nine holes from Nos. 3 to No. 11. The University of Washington alumnus has a pair of top-10 finishes this season.

"Excited. Excited," said Friberg, when asked about her thoughts on playing with Ochoa. "Whoever I'm going to play with tomorrow, it's going to be exciting. I'm just excited to be in the top going into Sunday, no matter who is in the top with me.

"Obviously I have a lot to learn from watching Lorena play, but I also need to focus on my own game. So tomorrow, it's about my game and hopefully have a good time out there."

Friday's leader, Janice Moodie, is among five players tied for third at 11-under 205. Moodie is tied with Yani Tseng, Christina Kim, Song-Hee Kim and Michele Redman.

Sarah Jane Kenyon, Candie Kung and Jill McGill are tied for eighth at 10-under 206.

First prize is $210,000.