Morgan Pressel leads Evian Masters after 3 rounds; American closes with eagle for 2-shot lead

Pressel takes 3rd-round lead at Evian Masters

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — Morgan Pressel took a two-stroke lead after three rounds of the Evian Masters on Saturday, closing with an eagle for a 5-under 67.

The American began the day three strokes behind after a 72 Friday. She will enter Sunday’s final round at 11 under, followed by South Koreans Jiyai Shin and Jeong Jang.

Pressel felt she could have been further ahead but for a mistake in her club selection on the third hole.

“I got off to a good start: birdied the first hole, made a little bit of a mess on three, more of a mental error than anything,” Pressel said. “I just shouldn’t have hit driver off the tee and made bogey.”

Shin, who was briefly ranked No. 1 following Lorena Ochoa’s retirement this year, had five birdies and a bogey in a round of 68. Jang shot a 70.

Second-round leader Mika Miyazato had a 74. She fell four strokes behind Pressel after a round marked by five bogeys, including a stretch of three in a row.

Brittany Lincicome, one of the longest drivers in women’s golf, had a 65. Her round included six birdies and an eagle on the 16th hole. She was three strokes behind Pressel and tied for fourth with Alexis Thompson (67) at 8 under.

“I was hitting the fairways and my putting was working well. It’s one of those days when everything seems to go right for you,” Lincicome said. “I would like to be able to play that way all year, but the problem with golf is that everything changes from one day to the next.”

Gwladys Nocera was one off the lead after two rounds, but the Frenchwoman slipped down the leaderboard with a 76, undone by five bogeys.

Michelle Wie had a better day after her 77 on Friday, showing more consistency with a 70 to move to 1 under.