Pettersen claims share of World Championship lead

PALM DESERT, California (Reuters) - Norway's Suzann Pettersen birdied the last four holes to join title-holder Lorena Ochoa in a tie for the lead in the World Championship third round on Saturday.

Pettersen, who edged out Ochoa in a playoff for last week's Longs Drugs Challenge, carded a sparkling eight-under-par 64 at Bighorn Golf Club.

The big-hitting 26-year-old piled up nine birdies and a solitary bogey at the par-four second for a 12-under total of 204.

"I've been playing well all week and yesterday I felt a little robbed not making my putts," Pettersen told reporters after holing 20-footers to birdie the 16th and 17th.

"Today I kept hitting good golf shots and giving myself the chances and finally some putts dropped at the end, so patience is good to have."

Pettersen, who won her first major title at the LPGA Championship in June, planned to relax as much as possible before Sunday's final round.

"It was a nice way to finish today but tomorrow is a new day," she said. "We are going to play early again so I will relax this afternoon, take some hours off by the pool and just kind of get the batteries loaded."

Ochoa, one ahead of the chasing pack overnight, surrendered the outright lead with a bogey at the last for a 69.

FOUR CLEAR