LPGA Tour

Brooke Henderson shoots 65 to climb into contention at Shoprite

Brooke Henderson
Brooke Henderson (Getty Images)

GALLOWAY, N.J. – Mel Reid gave herself another chance for her first LPGA Tour victory.

Two weeks after missing an opportunity in Portland, the 33-year-old Englishwoman shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday to take the lead into the final round of the Shoprite LPGA Classic.

In Portland, Reid closed with a 2-over 74 to tie for fifth after taking a two-stroke lead into the last day.

“Sometimes I get too quick and it kind of makes me quick on my swing,” Reid said. “So just take my time tomorrow I think. That is basically what we kind of took away from last week. I was just rushing things a little bit and probably hitting shots I wasn’t quite comfortable with. Tomorrow I’m going to take my time a little bit more, and hopefully it makes a bit of a difference.”

Reid eagled the par-5 ninth in a bogey-free round Saturday. She had a 15-under 198 total.

“I’m starting to get a little confidence and starting to feel like I can be one of the world’s best, so we’ll see,” Reid said “Just keep doing what I’m doing and stay humble and hopefully good things will happen.”

The three-time European Solheim Cup player has six victories on the Ladies European Tour.

Americans Jennifer Kupcho (65) and Jennifer Song (65) were tied for second.

Third-round leader Nasa Hataoka was 12 under after a 70.

Ryann O’Toole (67) and Kelly Tan -(65) were 11 under. Brooke Henderson (65) was another stroke back after shooting a 6-under 65 in Saturday’s third round.

“I think if I can continue to make as many birdies as I did today and continue to hit the ball in good spots, I feel like Brit have done a good job of judging the conditions, especially the wind,” said Henderson. “Hopefully give ourselves a lot good looks for birdie and hopefully I can continue to climb.”

Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., sits 29 at 5 under par.

Defending champion Lexi Thompson, winless since the June event last year, was 6 under after a 68.

The tournament is being contested at 72 holes for only the second time since it began in 1986. The additional round replaced the pro-am that was cancelled because there are no spectators. The major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is next week at Aronimink outside Philadelphia.