Ocho holds narrow lead

World number one Lorena Ochoa recorded four birdies – including three in a row - to emerge with a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Ochoa shot a one-under-par 71 to move to six under at Mission Hills Country Club in California.

After shooting even par on the front nine, the Mexican recorded birdies from 10 to 12.

Ochoa then bogeyed 15 for the third successive day and also dropped a shot on the last hole.

Ochoa leads South Korea’s Hee-Won Han by one stroke – and the trio of Cristie Kerr, Sweden’s Maria Hjorth and South Korea’s Seon Hwa Lee by two shots.

Annika Sorenstam, hoping to win this event for the fourth time, had a roller-coaster round with four birdies and five bogeys.

She finished one over for the round and trails Ochoa by four strokes.

First-round leader and former British Open champion Karen Stupples struggled for the second consecutive day – carding a two-over 74 to be six strokes off the lead.

Defending champion Morgan Pressel shot a 75 and was tied for 31st at four over.