Kerr leads by two heading into last round of U.S. Open

By Larry Fine

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - American Cristie Kerr held firm in testing conditions on Saturday to shoot a one-over-par 72 for a two-stroke lead going into the final round of the U.S. Women's Open.

Kerr, the 2007 champion, stood at two-under 211 and was the only player under par through 54 holes at Saucon Valley Country Club's Old Course.

South Korean Ji Eyun-hee shot a sizzling 32 on the back nine, notching birdies on the 10th, 14th and 17th holes to complete a one-under-par 70 for level-par 213.

"It feels great," Kerr said about her pursuit of a second major title. "I'm not nervous. I feel calm. I know what I've got to do tomorrow and I'm just going to go out and do it."

CONSISTENT JI

Kerr will be paired with 23-year-old Ji, who was a model of consistency off the tee, missing just one fairway on Saturday.

"I was able to locate the balls anywhere I wanted, basically," she said through an interpreter.

Winds picked up during the overcast afternoon ahead of an approaching storm, further challenging the players on the long, fast 6,740-yard layout. Just as play for the day ended, heavy rain poured down on the Old Course.

Two more strokes back on 215 were American Jean Reynolds and Teresa Lu of Taiwan.

Reynolds, a 24-year-old Futures Tour player who has yet to compete in a regular LPGA event, held her nerve before stumbling at the finish with bogeys on three of the last four holes for 74.

"I hung in there pretty good all day," Reynolds said, admitting she might have been trying too hard to make up for a bogey at 15 when she had been just one shot off the lead.

"I think it was more I was just kind of pressing."

The 21-year-old Lu, who finished tied for 10th at last year's Open and is seeking her first LPGA Tour win, posted 70 to continue a charge into contention after her opening 76.

Another shot back on 216 were South Koreans Park Hee-young (72) and Kim In-kyung (72), and Candie Kung of Taiwan, who fired a 68 for the low round of the day.

American Paula Creamer, who began the day one stroke behind playing partner Kerr, soared to a 79 that included a triple-bogey seven at the 10th hole. The eight times LPGA Tour winner stood at six-over 219, tied for 17th.