JAMES CITY — Three-time Kingsmill champ Cristie Kerr stared off into the dim sky Saturday as she prepared to exit the ninth hole and finish her round.
Minutes earlier, Kerr’s short birdie attempt from within a few feet that would have left her 8 under on the day agonizingly lipped out.
“I can’t believe I missed,” Kerr said. “God, it was such a good putt. I made so many birdies today. I played really well. I just have to try to go do the same thing tomorrow.”
It was still a heck of a day for the local favorite, who nailed consecutive birdies on the seventh and eighth holes as well as 13, 14 and 15 to shoot a 7-under 64 and leap into a tie for eighth after going even through the first two rounds.
Other days, 7 under might have been the top outing.
The 2005, ’09 and ’13 Kingsmill champion believed Saturday’s was her lowest round on the River Course, and she knew soon after exiting the course that In Gee Chun had gone 9 under Saturday.
“Somebody shot a little bit lower, but I’ll take it,” Kerr said. “It was a great day.”
Speaking of past champs
Lizette Salas, the 2014 Kingsmill winner, shot 1 over Saturday and is tied with 13 other players in 43rd at 1 under.
The Californian switched coaches a year ago and club manufacturer (TaylorMade to Ping) at the start of this season.
“I’m just trying to come out here with a big smile on my face,” Salas said, “and hopefully end with a smile on my face.”
She said two years ago is in the rearview, although she is still enjoying one of the biggest perks of being a past champ here: top-notch parking.
“The parking spot is always a plus,” Salas said. “You get the reserved parking spot. So that’s a good thing.”
Lexi gains ground
Lexi Thompson is the only American to record a victory this season on the LPGA Tour, having won in February in Thailand.
The world No. 3 shot 4 under Saturday to go 5 under on the tourney and is tied for 18th.
Lexi’s key to winning Kingsmill?
Just before signing dozens of autographs after finishing on the ninth hole, she said, “It all depends on the weather. I think it’s supposed to rain tomorrow, too, but it always takes birdies out on this golf course. So you just have to fire at the pins. The greens are pretty soft.”
That weather
The third round was delayed 2 hours, 20 minutes by early-morning weather, and the leaders couldn’t tee off until about 2 p.m.
Light rain fell throughout much of the day, accompanied by some wind.
Ask Laura Davies’ caddie how rough it was out there. She slipped and fell on her backside while walking down the rolling hill to the 18th green.
American Lindy Duncan (tied for 32nd) came to her rescue and helped lift her up.
“It’s really wet and muddy out there,” Duncan said. “It’s pretty dangerous because these hills are really slick. She just lost her balance and with the bag on, lost control. But she was fine. Everyone was laughing.”
The final round will tee off about 7 a.m. Sunday, with groups of three going off from holes 1 and 10.
Learning experience
The average age of the third-round pairing of Duncan, Davies and Karrie Webb is 39.
The Aussie legend Webb and English golfing icon Davies can thank Duncan for bringing it down that low.
Duncan was an All-American at Duke and a year ahead of Blue Devils teammate Laetitia Beck, who is tied for fifth.
Duncan is in her second season on the LPGA Tour and competing in her first Kingsmill tourney.
“I was very excited,” Duncan said. “They’re legends. For a scrub like me, it’s pretty amazing to play with Hall of Famers. I knew it was going to be a really fun day.”
Holtzman can be reached by phone at 757-298-5830.
