Sjodin ties Tseng in Kraft Nabisco

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Sweden’s Karin Sjodin shot a steady 4-under 68 through heavy wind while chasing down top-ranked Yani Tseng on Saturday, pulling even at 9 under heading into the final round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

The dominant Tseng, coming off consecutive victories at Phoenix and La Costa and a three-time winner in five events this year, showed visible frustration while posting a 71 as inconsistent as the wind that buffeted Mission Hills throughout her round.

While Tseng is a five-time major champion, the long-hitting Sjodin is winless in seven seasons on the LPGA Tour. Yet Sjodin made just one bogey in a remarkable round, briefly taking the late outright lead.

Haeji Kang was two strokes back after struggling to a 72.

Na Yeon Choi had a 71 to top a five-player group at 6 under.

Oosthuizen leads

by two at Houston

HUMBLE, Texas — Louis Oosthuizen shot his second straight 6-under 66 to reach 17 under and take a two-shot lead over Hunter Mahan after the third round of the Houston Open.

The 29-year-old South African shook off two early bogeys with four straight birdies on a sunny, windy afternoon at Redstone. Mahan had a 65, rebounding from a bogey on No. 9 with four birdies on the back nine.

Carl Pettersson (67) and Brian Davis (69) were three strokes back at 14 under. James Driscoll (71) was alone at 12 under. Defending champion Phil Mickelson was in a group at 11 under after a 70.

Three-time major champion Ernie Els, who must win to qualify for the Masters next week, was in a group at 8 under. Els hasn’t missed the Masters since 1993 and knew that his chances of winning today are remote.

Olesen ahead by

three in Sicily

SCIACCA, Sicily — Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen shot a 5-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead after the third round of the European Tour’s Sicilian Open.

Olesen was 12 under on the Verdura course. Canada’s Andrew Parr (67) and Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts were tied for second. John Daly was 6 under after a 72.