WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS – US Open champion Webb Simpson withstood an unexpected charge by journeyman Troy Kelly to move two strokes clear after Saturday's third round of the weather-hit Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia. Seeking his fourth PGA Tour title, Simpson coolly birdied four of the last six holes for a five-under-par 65 on the Old White TPC Course to post a 14-under total of 196. The 26-year-old signed off in style, rolling in a 20-footer on the 18th green to finish two ahead of fellow American Kelly, who rocketed up the leaderboard with a flawless eight-birdie 62. Long-hitting American JB Holmes carded a 66 to share third place at 11-under with compatriots Ken Duke (65) and PGA Tour rookie Charlie Beljan (67). “I just had to be patient there early, I couldn't get anything to drop on the first six holes,” world No. 5 Simpson told reporters after finishing with a flawless five-birdie display. But this golf course will give you some birdies. If you kind of keep plotting and putting the ball in the fairway, you'll have plenty of wedge opportunities. “That's what I did, and fortunately for me I took advantage of those holes coming in. It's a great feeling to play another bogey-free round and I'm in great position for tomorrow.” A promising amateur golfer at the University of Washington, Kelly has mainly bounced between the ‘mini' tours since turning professional in 2003. Before this season, his only other lengthy experience of the PGA Tour came in 2009 and his career suffered a major setback when he had to have hip replacement surgery in September 2010 after he was diagnosed with arthritis. “I didn't know if I could ever get back to a high level,” Kelly said. Choi in charge In Kohler, Wisconsin South Korea's Na Yeon Choi fired a remarkable seven-under par 65 Saturday to seize a six-shot lead after three rounds of the US Women's Open. Choi had a 54-hole total of eight-under 208, with her nearest rival, compatriot Amy Yang, a distant second on two-under 214 after a three-under 69. The two were the only players to break 70 in difficult windy conditions at Blackwolf Run. Choi matched the lowest third-round score in tournament history and her 65 also tied the third-lowest round ever posted at a US Women's Open. The lowest round in US Women's Open history was Helen Alfredsson's 63 in 1994. Three other players have shot a 64 in the Open. American Lexi Thompson, Japan's Mika Miyazato and Germany's Sandra Gal were tied for third on one-under 215. Thompson, 17, carded a 72, Miyazato a 73, and Gal signed for a 74. American Michelle Wie, who had climbed up the leaderboard with a 66 on Friday to go into the third round one shot off Pettersen's lead, also posted a 78. World No. 1 Yani Tseng struggled to a 78 that left her eight-over par. — Agencies
