Kim maintains lead at Longs Drugs Challenge

Oct 12, 2008 - 3:07 AM DANVILLE, California (Ticker) - In-Kyung Kim maintained her slim lead in Saturday's third round at the Longs Drugs Challenge.

Kim entered the day with a one-stroke edge and found herself in the same position after 54-holes of the $1.2 million event.

The South Korean is at 11-under-par 205 after carding a 3-under 69 on Saturday and she holds a one-stroke lead over Angela Stanford.

The 21-year-old Kim has five top 10 finishes - including a third-place showing at the U.S. Open in June. Kim's best placing came last year at Wegman's when she finished second after losing a playoff to Lorena Ochoa.

Kim had four birdies and a bogey on Saturday. She dropped a shot at No. 15 but rebounded with her final birdie of the day at 16 to take the lead into the final round.

"I had a good day," Kim said. "I had a lot of chances, and I tried to not make like many mistakes. Overall, I'm very happy to be where I am.

"Tomorrow is another day. You never know what's going to happen. I'm going to keep it up and try to do my best. I think I have to keep going and do what need to do."

Stanford had just one bogey and got it out of the way early, at the par-4 second. She had six birdies during the rest of her round, including three straight on her final three holes.

Stanford is at 10-under 206 after a 67.

Yani Tseng is in third, five strokes off the pace after signing for a 70.

Ochoa is looking for her second win in three weeks, but looks like a longshot. She stumbled to a 74 on Saturday and is tied for sixth at 4-under.

"I have one more day, and I need to try to be more positive," Ochoa said. "Hopefully I can make a lot of birdies, and have a special round. I am going to try to be better prepared for tomorrow, and make all of them."

First prize is $180,000.