Ochoa reels in Prammanasudh

Lorena Ochoa took advantage of a late mistake by overnight leader Stacy Prammanasudh on Saturday to take a one-shot lead at Navistar LPGA Classic heading into the final round.

Tour money list leader Ochoa, seeking her fourth straight victory this week, carded a bogey free three-under-par 69 to move onto 13-under overall, while Prammanasudh signed for a disappointing one-over 73.

Ochoa holed from four feet on the par-five eighth to card her first birdie of the third round before adding further birdies at the 12th and 15th and took the lead outright as Prammanasudh bogeyed the last.

“It was kind of a slow start and nothing was really going on the front nine,” said Ochoa. “Then finally at number eight, I made my first birdie and then missed birdie on nine, 10 and 11 It was just kind of hard to make some putts and get it going.

“But I’m really happy because I played solid golf. It was key today just to be patient and not to get too angry and anxious about it and just build some momentum. I like my position and I’m ready to come tomorrow and play the final round.”

Prammanasudh carded three bogeys and two birdies at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Capitol Hill venue and led until dropping shots at the 14th and 18th.

“I just wasn’t hitting it as close as I had in the previous couple rounds, so I didn’t have as many birdie chances as in the last couple rounds,” she said. “But I’m pleased with the way I played. A bad lie off the drive resulted in a bogey on one hole and then a little plug up on 18. But other than that I’m pleased.”

Maria Hjorth (70) and Virada Nirapathpongporn (70) are tied at nine-under.