Late birdies keep Park in front of Kung and Inkster at Evian Masters

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EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) -- Angela Park birdied the final three holes for a 4-under 68 Saturday to keep a one-shot lead after the third round of the Evian Masters.

The 19-year-old Park, who has dual Brazilian and American citizenship, has a 14-under total of 202. Taiwan-born Candie Kung, who also has U.S. citizenship, is one shot back after a 67.

"I was playing mediocre throughout the whole round," Park said. "I didn't see anyone else go extremely low so I tried to stay positive and it came around."

Juli Inkster of the United States, the 2003 Evian champion, is third on 11 under after a 69, her third straight sub-70 round. Sweden's Helen Alfredsson, who trailed Park by one stroke overnight, is four shots back in fourth after following her course-record 63 Friday with a 71.

Park is looking for her first LPGA Tour victory, and has never led after 54 holes.

"I have no strategy so far," she said. "Just hit fairways and greens and be patient out there."

Park made two birdies on the first nine holes before missing a short par putt at 13, her only bogey of the tournament.

Like Park, Kung also grew up in Southern California and now lives in Allen, Texas.

"This week's been pretty good for me," said Kung, whose three LPGA Tour wins all came in 2003. "This will probably be the first time (since 2003) being in the last group. It's going to be fun."

The 43-year-old Alfredsson battled through a round of five birdies and four bogies in her 71.

"It was an adventure," she said. "I was fighting and never got it going like (Friday). Sometimes it is such a letdown after you have a round like that. I hit some shots I didn't recognize. But I kept in there and I'm not totally displeased."

Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa carded a 70 to be one of four players tied for seventh place, six shots behind Park.

"I'm a little frustrated," said the 26-year-old Mexican, who led after a first-round 65. "I was really close to shooting a low round but I couldn't make any putts. I can do it. I am going to be positive, hopefully I can start good and go from there."

Annika Sorenstam, who is retiring at the end of the season, is unlikely to earn a third victory at Evian after winning her in 2000 and '02. The 37-year-old Swede had a 73 for a 3-under total of 213, 11 strokes off the lead.

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