Anderson shows she’s the class of the rookies

With leader Angela Stanford pulling away from the pack, a rookie looking for her first top-10 on tour kept pace.

North Dakota’s Amy Anderson got hot with the putter, rolling in five birdies for a 4-under 68 to sit in a tie for fifth place heading into Saturday’s final 18 holes of the LPGA Lotte Championship at Ko Olina Golf Club.

One of 18 rookies teeing it up in this week’s LPGA event, Anderson made her second cut of the season after an even-par 72 on Thursday.

While the rest of the field struggled to keep up with Stanford, the leader by four shots, Anderson jumped 11 spots into a three-way tie at 6 under with world No. 1 Inbee Park and So Yeon Ryu.

"Anytime you make the cut you’re in a good position," said Anderson, whose only other cut made was at the Australian Open in February, where she tied for 25th.

Three of her five birdies came on her final six holes, beginning with a birdie putt on No. 13 that rolled dead center of the cup from a good 40 feet away.

Her third round included only 28 putts, which helped make up for hitting eight of 14 fairways.

"I made just some great putts, ones that you’re just hoping to two-putt and they fell in," Anderson said. "You’re always excited when that happens because it helps your score a lot."

The 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur champion, Anderson turned pro last summer after a decorated college career at North Dakota State, where she won 20 times.

She played once in Hawaii as a senior, finishing in fourth place at the Rainbow Wahine Invitational at Leilehua.

That experience was far different from the one this weekend as she competes for the largest paycheck of her young career.

Anderson’s 68 matched her lowest round of the year on tour and was bested only by the 67 of Stanford and Julieta Granada.

It was the first time in her past nine rounds the 21-year-old shot in the 60s.

Her day began with a birdie on the par-5 first and continued with a second birdie on No. 5.

Anderson’s only slip-up came on the tough par-4 at No. 10, which she bogeyed for the second straight day.

She’s only made four bogeys total through the first 54 holes.

"Golf is so up and down, so I’ve really tried to stay patient knowing I would bounce back," Anderson said. "I just didn’t feel like my swing was in the right place the last two tournaments."

She stressed patience multiple times when asked about her year so far.

The only cut she made in her previous five events found her in a similar spot after three rounds as she’s in this week.

She was 6 under in Australia before finishing with a 75.

"I want to continue to play well like I have this week," Anderson said. "If I can continue to do that, I’ll be happy."

Anderson is one of only two rookies under par heading into the final round. South African Paula Reto is 11 shots back at 2 under after shooting 73.

Sixteen-year-old Lydia Ko, who already has three top-10s this season, is in a tie for 27th at 1 over after shooting a 74.

Ten of the 18 rookies in the field didn’t make the cut.