World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa tightened her grip on the opening women's major of the year, moving one stroke clear in the Kraft Nabisco Championship third round yesterday.
Co-leader overnight with American playing partner Heather Young, Mexican Ochoa eked out a one-under-par 71 in strengthening winds at Mission Hills Country Club.
The 26-year-old reeled off three consecutive birdies from the par-4 10th to shake off the chasing pack before ending a gruelling day with a three-putt bogey at the last.
hat left Ochoa at 6-under 210 in pursuit of her second major title.
South Korea's Han Hee-won carded a 70 to lie second at 5 under, a stroke in front of compatriot Lee Seon-hwa (68), American Cristie Kerr (66) and Swede Maria Hjorth (72).
Three-time champion Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, battling stomach pain for the second day in a row, ground out a 73 to share ninth spot at 2 under.
Ochoa is bidding for her third victory in four starts on the 2008 LPGA Tour.
