Intro:

Cristie Kerr made a 55-foot par-saving putt after hitting her final approach into the water Saturday (March 29), giving her a share of the third round Kia Classic lead with Lizette Salas.

Script:

The third round of the LPGA's Kia Classic - the final tune-up ahead of the Kraft Nabisco Championship - teed off on Saturday at the Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, California. 

American Cristie Kerr got off to a good start and sank back-to-back birdies on five and six to get to 10 under par. Kerr won the Kingsmill Championship last year for her 16th LPGA 
Tour title.

She kept herself in good position to secure a 17th title by sinking a long par attempt on the 18th. 

Kerr sent her approach into the water and she was forced to take a penalty drop. 

She picked the right spot for the drop however, and was able to read the green perfectly and sink her putt to stay at 10 under par. 

Kerr carded a round of 70 and shares the lead after 54 holes with Lizette Salas.

Salas, a former USC player looking for her first LPGA Tour title, went around the course in 69. 

She birdied the par-five 17th for a share of the lead and matched Kerr with a par on the last. 

Dori Carter, who was leading at the end of the second round after carding a course-record 64, shot a 74 on the third day. 

The poor round means she drops into a tie for third place.

Other golfers tied for third include, Thailand winner Anna Nordqvist, Ayako Uehara and Shanshan Feng all on eight under par. 

Carter made the turn at 11 under but bogeyed 10 through 12 to drop from the top of the leaderboard.