Surprise package Lewis takes charge at Interlachen

EDINA, Minnesota (Reuters) - Just 19 days after turning professional, Stacy Lewis stole the limelight from the game's best players by grabbing a one-shot lead in the U.S. Women's Open third round on Saturday.

Rolling the ball beautifully on the difficult, sloping greens at Interlachen Country Club, Lewis fired a flawless six-under-par 67 to take control of the third women's major of the year.

The 23-year-old, who earlier this month led the U.S. amateurs to Curtis Cup victory over Britain & Ireland, sank a curling seven-footer to birdie the last for a nine-under total of 210.

As her ball disappeared into the cup for her 23rd putt of the round, she bent at the knee and pumped her right fist in celebration.

"It's been such a great week," a beaming Lewis told reporters after ending a blustery day at Interlachen one ahead of American world number four Paula Creamer (69).

"Truthfully I'm not really that surprised to be in this position. I felt like I could compete at this level. It was kind of my goal to put myself into contention to win going into the last day.

"I think the Curtis Cup gave me more confidence, knowing I could hit shots under pressure. That's probably the most pressure I've ever played on is that Curtis Cup."

Lewis turned professional on June 9 to compete in a sectional qualifier in her home state of Texas for this week's U.S. Women's Open. She won that qualifier by four shots to keep her dream month alive.

Three off the pace after the weather-delayed second round ended earlier Saturday, Lewis birdied the second, fourth and eighth to create a log-jam of five players atop the leaderboard.

Out in three-under 33, she picked up further shots at the 14th, where she holed a 25-footer, the 15th and the last to wrest the initiative from a clutch of much more experienced players.

ONE BEHIND

Creamer, seeking her seventh LPGA victory at the age of 21, failed to birdie the par-five last to stay one shot behind at eight under.

However, she was delighted to be in the hunt for her maiden major title.

"I couldn't ask for any better position," Creamer said. "I've done the work so far and tomorrow I just have to go out and finish the deal. I'm really enjoying my week. The golf course sets up really well to my game. Possibly it's my time."

Swede Helen Alfredsson, a 43-year-old veteran of seven Solheim Cup teams, held the outright lead for much of the afternoon before dropping back into a tie for third at seven under after returning a 71.

Level with Alfredsson was South Korean Park Inbee (71) who finished joint fourth in last year's U.S. Open at Pine Needles.

Three-times champion Annika Sorenstam, making her farewell appearance at the tournament, again struggled with her putter on her way to a 72.

"I've been fighting and fighting and done everything I can," the 37-year-old Swede said after parring the last nine holes to end the day seven strokes behind Lewis.

"I'm very, very disappointed. I cannot hit the ball better and I cannot put myself in a better position. I just need a few putts to drop and it will be a different story."

World number one Lorena Ochoa, seven off the pace when the weather-delayed second round was completed earlier in the day, slid further down the leaderboard.

In pursuit of her third major victory in four starts, the Mexican dropped four shots in her first four holes en route to a 76 and a four-over total of 223.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez and Martin Petty)