Thompson builds lead at Navistar

PRATTVILLE, Alabama (AP) ― Teenager Lexi Thompson shot a 5-under 67 in the Navistar LPGA Classic on Saturday and is in position to become the youngest player to win an LPGA tournament.

Thompson, who turned 16 in February, is at 15-under 201 and has a five-stroke lead heading into the final round at the Robert Trent Jones Trail’s Capitol Hill complex. Paula Creamer set the age record for a multiple-round tournament when she won in 2005 when she was 18.

Lexi Thompson

South Korea’s Lee Mee-na is second, and Tiffany Joh, Karen Stupples and Becky Morgan are tied for third at 8-under 208.

Thompson had four consecutive birdies on Nos. 6-9 and recorded six overall. She bogeyed the par-4 18th.

Thompson was a 14-year-old amateur when she was tied for the 2009 Navistar LPGA lead after two rounds before finishing 27th. She tied for 16th last year.

Joh made the biggest move with a 65 in the third round. She birdied her final two holes. If Thompson wins, she would have to petition the LPGA for an exemption to its 18-year-old age requirement for tour membership. The LPGA already granted her petition for qualifying school, and she won the first stage by 10 strokes in July.