Norway’s Suzann Pettersen sits just one shot behind the leaders at the Michelob Light Open at Kingsmill in Virginia on the LPGA Tour. The former Bill Johnson rookie of the year on the Ladies European Tour is in sparkling form after last weeks third place finish in the Chick-Fil-A Championship, but Pettersen bogeyed two of her final three holes to give up the lead on Friday.
The 22-year-old from Oslo carded a second consecutive 68 for a six under par total, one back from Mexican rookie Lorena Ochoa and Grace Park from South Korea.
Pettersen lobbed in four birdies and two bogies in search of her maiden win in America and her second career title after the 2001 French Open on the Ladies European Tour. But she missed from four feet at the final hole to fall out of the lead.
“It was a bit sloppy, but I missed my drive on 18 and this rough is killing you out there. But overall, I’m very happy and getting my game together and finally starting to putt as I used to do,” said The Solheim Cup star.
Patricia Meunier-Lebouc from France added a 68 to her opening 69 to slot into fourth place and in contention for her second win of the year after winning the Nabisco Championship, the first major on the women’s calendar.
And perhaps ominously for the field, World number one Annika Sorenstam, who began the day tied for sixth at 3 under, shot a 70 and remained tied for sixth, three strokes back.
