Associated Press Writer
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Candie Kung played just well enough to keep her lead as Laura Davies and others closed the gap Saturday heading into the final round of the LPGA State Farm Classic.
After leading by four strokes through two rounds, Kung built her lead to five before stumbling. She finished the day with a 1-under 71 for a one-shot lead over Davies, a 20-time tour winner.
Kung started uncharacteristically strong, moving to 15 under through her fourth hole and taking a five-stroke lead. But she shot 1 over the rest of the day, while Davies shot a 6-under 66 and moved closer heading into Sunday's finale.
Hee-Won Han shot a 69 and is in third at 13 under, followed by Karen Stupples, whose 68 put her at 10 under.
Kung said a strong breeze made good shots more difficult, but she is still in good position to claim her second tournament win in as many weeks.
"I'm still in the lead," Kung said. "I didn't hit the ball as well today. I still made some birdies but I missed a few short putts. It was all right. Overall, I played OK."
The wind was the only thing that kept players from brutalizing the Rail Golf Course, whose greens were softened by rain Friday and whose wide fairways and little danger make it one of the tour's most birdie-friendly stops.
Davies birdied the 4th hole, chipped in from a greenside bunker for eagle on the par-5 8th and birdied No. 12 to tie Kung for the lead. Davies also birdied 15 and nearly holed out from a bunker on 18, but Kung had birdies on 12 and 15 to cling to her lead.
Davies, whose length off the tee is a big advantage at the wide-open Rail, set the course record of 10-under 62 in 1991 and said she could have matched that Saturday with a little luck.
She has finished second twice, third and fourth in five appearances here, but she said she's not assuming any edge over Kung on Sunday.
"She's won twice since I won my last time," said Davies, who last won in 2001. "She's the one that's playing very, very well at the moment ... It's just fun to have a chance to win because that's what it's all about to me."
Jennifer Rosales, who joined Kung and Han in the final group, was in position to compete for her first LPGA win until the final stretch.
She was one back with Davies at 13 under when her round blew up at the par-3 16th, the course's toughest test with a pin tucked right behind a lake. Rosales put two balls in the water and walked away with a 7. She's in a large group -- along with No. 2 money winner Se Ri Pak -- at 8 under.
Kristi Albers birdied five of her first seven holes and shot a 6-under 66 to get to 9 under for the tournament. Three others shot 5-under 67s Saturday.
Kung said she'll try to "birdie every hole" Sunday, as she plays for the first time with Davies. She says she's not intimidated by the popular and successful British veteran.
"It will be fun," she said.
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