Kerr finishes strong with par at last

Cristie Kerr ended her round on her own terms.

Kerr, playing in the leaders’ group with Angela Stanford and Michelle Wie on Friday, made a great putt to save par on No. 18 and head into Saturday’s final round five shots off the lead at 8-under 208.

Kerr lofted her approach shot into some hillside rough beyond the green. A sand trip lay directly between her ball and the pin. She had to deftly chip over the trap without totally overshooting the downhill hole. Kerr managed to keep her ball within 15 feet of the cup and nailed a difficult uphill par putt to finish her round at 2-under 70.

"Just a bad swing into 18 and ended up riding the wind the wrong way and got in a really tough spot," she said. "I just tried to get a par and my caddie gave me an awesome read and I just told him, I’m not missing it.’ I didn’t have my best stuff today, but I hung in there, and tomorrow’s another day."

Inbee Park fails to close the gap

With the spotlight on second-round leader Angela Stanford and local favorite Michelle Wie, world No. 1 Inbee Park looked primed to make a Saturday run at her first LPGA win this year.

Park was three shots off the lead when her second double bogey of the tournament knocked her back on No. 13.

It was one of only two fairways she didn’t hit during the round and her putter didn’t help out either.

Park needed 33 putts to get through the round and now sits seven back of Stanford in a three-way tie for fifth.

She got one back with a birdie on No. 15 but missed a short one on 18 to bogey the last.

Park will tee off in the second-to-last group on Saturday with Kerr and tour rookie Amy Anderson.

Stanford’s folks celebrate anniversary

Friday’s large gallery following the final threesome pretty much had Michelle Wie on the brain, but Angela Stanford did have a small rooting section that included her parents, who are here celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.

This is her father’s first visit to Hawaii, and if Stanford can hang on to win in Saturday’s final round, she might invite them on the road more often.

"My dad’s first time in Hawaii, so my mom has her hands full because he’s not much for vacation," Stanford said of her Texan parents, Steve and Nan.

"He’s having a good time. They are enjoying watching golf. My aunt and my uncle are here also.

"It’s nice to have them here. You love having your parents around because there’s that comfort. And I know all of Hawaii is rooting for Michelle tomorrow, but I know I have a few hometown (fans) in the crowd tomorrow."

Kim’s goal: top 10 finish; win would be bonus

Hyo Joo Kim has displayed incredible steadiness for an 18-year-old. Her 3-under-par 69 put her at 9 under and in a tie for second with Michelle Wie headed into Saturday’s final round.

Kim, who shot 68 on Wednesday and 70 on Thursday, said she’s not worried about trying to track down Angela Stanford, who leads her and Wie by four strokes.

"I’m not going to change my goal," she said. "The top 10 is still my goal and if I finish better than top 10 that is a bonus and I will have a good time."

Kim was the 2013 rookie of the year on the Korean LPGA Tour. She plays here on a sponsor’s exemption and could become an LPGA member with a win today.

Granada matches Stanford with 67

Julieta Granada matched leader Angela Stanford for best score of the third round with a 5-under 67.

Granada, who had seven birdies and two bogeys, carded her first score under 70 in her 11th round of the three-year-old LPGA Lotte Championship.

She is tied for 10th at 3 under going into today’s final round.

SCOREBOARD

FOURTH ROUND TEE TIMES