Stacy Lewis shoots 69 to tie Meena Lee for North Texas LPGA Shootout lead

IRVING, Texas -- Stacy Lewis shot a 2-under 69 even while missing several makeable putts Saturday to grab a share of the lead with Meena Lee after three rounds at the North Texas LPGA Shootout.

Lewis, the third-ranked player in the world, looked down in frustration after missing a birdie chance at the 18th hole. The Texan matched Lee at 9-under 204.

In nearly ideal scoring conditions with little if any wind, Lee shot 70.

But Caroline Masson, who shared the second-round lead with Lee, followed consecutive 67s with a 75.

Suzann Pettersen, Dori Carter and Julieta Granada shot 68 and were a stroke behind the leaders.

Cristie Kerr (69), Christina Kim (70) and Natalie Gulbis (71) were among seven players tied at 7 under and only two strokes off the lead. Also in that group was 22-year-old Jennifer Johnson, who had an opening bogey before shooting a 65 for the best round of the day at Las Colinas Country Club.

Lee, the South Korean who hasn't won on the LPGA Tour since 2006, had the lead alone at 10 under after consecutive birdies. The second of those birdies came after an approach to within a few feet at the par-5 seventh hole, and was her last of the day.

On the par-3 13th hole, Lee was still 10 under when her tee shot went over the green and she pitched past the hole before a par-saving putt. Lewis then had a birdie chance slide just past to hole to remain a stroke back -- though she got even on the next hole.

Lee's approach at the 416-yard 14th hole settled near a scoring tower by the green and a par putt came up just short of going in the hole. Lewis got even, though she looked up in frustration when a birdie chance for the outright lead rolled just right of the hole.

Lewis is an eight-time winner, but has had six runner-up finishes in 18 starts since winning the Women's British Open in August. She has been sixth or better in seven of eight tournaments this season, including another runner-up finish in San Francisco last week.

Masson opened Saturday with a bogey, but responded with consecutive birdies on the fourth and fifth holes. But her drive at the 403-yard eighth hole went out of bounds, and she hit her fourth shot behind the green on way to a triple-bogey 7. Another bogey followed at No. 9 and she was suddenly five strokes back at the turn -- where she still was when the round ending.

The 75 matched Masson's closing round score last year when she led the first two rounds of the inaugural North Texas LPGA Shootout before finishing 15th.

Inbee Park, the No. 1 player in the world and the defending champion, shot 68 and was only three strokes back.

When the initial cut was made at 2 over after the second round, 74 of the original 144-player field made it. There was another cut after the third round, with 51 players advancing to Sunday at even par or better.