Published: July 11, 2009 11:37 pm      

Kerr scrambles, keeps Open lead

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Cristie Kerr is feeling a sense of calm only a former U.S. Women’s Open champion could understand.

Armed with the knowledge of what it takes to win the championship, the 2007 winner is set to make a push for another title.

Kerr scrambled for a 1-over 72 Saturday and pulled away from struggling playing partner Paula Creamer and built a two-shot lead over Eun Hee Ji of South Korea after three rounds of the Women’s Open.

Kerr was the only player with a sub-par score — 2-under 211 — after three rounds on the narrow fairways and speedy, undulating greens of Saucon Valley Country Club.

Now, Kerr, who won at Pine Needles in ’07, is in a position to claim her second title in three years. She’s looking forward to the fourth-round challenge and playing in the lead.

“There really isn’t a better place for me,” the 12-time LPGA Tour winner said after two birdies and three bogeys. “I love this golf course.

“I feel good. I’m sure there’s going to be some nerves in the morning. But I’ve been there. I know I can handle it.”

Futures Tour player Jean Reynolds is an unlikely challenger for the title despite two wins in the developmental tour this year.

The 24-year-old from Georgia started two strokes back and was one off the lead before stumbling down the stretch. She closed with a bogey at the 15th and back-to-back bogeys at 17 and 18 on the way to a 3-over 74. She’s tied for third at 2-over 215 with Teresa Lu of Taiwan, who had a 1-under 70.

Reynolds is anxious to make a run at the title in just her second Open.

“I love being in the hunt on Sunday,” the Futures Tour leading money winner this season said. “I just enjoy having the chance to win ... and if I stumble, I try not to let it get to me.”

South Korea’s In-Kyung Kim (72) and Hee Young Park (72), and Taiwan’s Candie Kung (3-under 68) are tied for fifth at 3-over 216. Brittany Lincicome had a 2-over 73, Suzann Pettersen had a 1-over 72 and Kyeong Bae of South Korea had a 2-under 69 and are tied for eighth at 4-over 217.

The wind was blowing at the Old Course in the Lehigh Valley, drying out the putting surfaces and adding speed to the testy, undulating greens.

A handful of players took advantage of the USGA’s move to shorten the distance of a number of holes to raise the risk-reward factor.

The 23-year-old Ji took advantage. She offset three bogeys with four birdies for a 1-under 70 and even-par 213 total to earn a spot in the final group with Kerr on Sunday in just her second Open.