SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Candie Kung's round didn't start like it usually does and it definitely didn't end how she wanted.
But she's still in position to win her second tournament in a row.
Accustomed to slow starts, Kung opened a five-shot lead in the third round of the LPGA State Farm Classic on Saturday after she birdied two of her first four holes. Then she shot 1 over the rest of the day and led Laura Davies by one stroke at 14 under heading into the tournament finale.
Kung said a strong breeze wreaked havoc with her approach shots to the green, and she didn't make some putts she made the past two days. She's not worried, though.
"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."
Hee-Won Han shot a 69 and is in third at 12 under, followed by Karen Stupples, whose 68 put her at 10 under.
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 Sunday over Kung.
"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, and 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 on the day.
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.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
= Sporting News Radio Pass