By: Max Bechtoldt
Defending Senior LPGA Championship winner Angela Stanford took the lead heading into the final round with a -5 67.
Stanford got off to a blazing start at Copper Rock Golf Course in Hurricane, Utah. She eagled the opening hole, and added five birdies on the rest of the nine to shoot a -7 29. She picked up another birdie on 12 to get to -8 for the round. While she stumbled a bit coming in, with three bogeys on the final six holes, it was enough to take a two-stroke lead over Cristie Kerr.
Kerr, who was the first round leader, also struggled down the stretch. After a front nine 34, she bogeyed four of the last six holes with one birdie sandwiched in there.
It seems fitting to have a duel set up between Stanford and Kerr in the final round. Both are major champions, newly eligible for the senior championships.
Stanford holds the current longest streak in golf for majors played in at 98, a streak that barring anything unforeseen before, will come to an end next week after the USGA didn’t give her an exemption to the U.S. Women’s Open. Only two starts shy of 100. She is already qualified for the major after, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Stanford and Kerr have combined for 27 LPGA Tour wins, three major championships and 15 Solheim Cup appearances.
