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Golf roundup: Shanshan Feng’s late birdie putt good for lead at U.S. Women’s Open

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Shanshan Feng is going to have the president of the United States looking over her shoulder in the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open, and probably a lot of South Korean fans, too.

The 27-year-old from China rolled in a short birdie putt on the final hole Saturday to take a one-shot lead after three rounds of the biggest tournament in women’s golf.

Teenager Hye-Jin Choi and perennial Open bridesmaid Amy Yang were tied for second in an event where the South Koreans have shined.

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The top six players chasing Feng are all from South Korea, and you have to go all the way to eighth place to find a U.S. player. That’s Cristie Kerr, who was five shots off the lead.

It should make for an interesting final day in a tournament that had an even bigger stage with Trump in attendance. He’s the first sitting president to attend a U.S. Women’s Open.

Feng shot a one-under-par 71 to reach nine-under 207 at the president’s Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.

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“Coming to this week, I didn’t have any expectation at all,” said Feng, who has lead from the start after shooting a 66 in her quest for a second major. “I just — I wanted to bring out my `A’ game. And then I think I did really well for the first three days, and then I’m going to stick to my game plan. I just focus on my own game and let’s see what happens.”

Choi and Yang each shot 70.

Sung Hyun Park, the top rookie on the LPGA Tour, is at six under after a 67. Top-ranked So Yeon Ryu (71), Mirim Lee (67) and Jeongeun Lee (73) are at five under.

Kerr, a former Open winner and a member at this course, is tied at four under with Spain’s Carlota Ciganda (72).

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Rodgers retains lead at John Deere Classic

Patrick Rodgers shot a three-under 68 to maintain a two-stroke lead in the John Deere Classic.

Rodgers had a 16-under 197 total at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. The former Stanford star is trying to become the third player in five years to win the Quad Cities event for his first PGA Tour title.

Daniel Berger shot a 63 to match Scott Stallings (64) at 14 under. Nicholas Lindheim (66) was 13 under, while Jamie Lovemark (66), Bryson DeChambeau (70) and J.J. Henry (68) were another stroke back.

Area favorite Zach Johnson had a 70 to drop five strokes back.

Langer’s 66 good for lead at Senior Players

Bernhard Langer shot a bogey-free six-under 66 to take advantage of Brandt Jobe’s late collapse for a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Constellation Senior Players Championship in Owings Mills, Md.

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Langer had six birdies to complete the third round at 18 under. He trailed after 15 holes but made up three strokes over the next two holes to take control of the major tournament he’s won the last three years.

Jobe shot a 65 to finish the day in second place. Corey Pavin (71) and Scott McCarron (69) were tied for third at 12 under.

Jobe made his first bogey of the day on No. 16 and followed by hitting his tee shot into the water on 17 en route to another bogey.

Poulter in position to break drought

Ian Poulter moved in sight of his first title in 4 1/2 years by belying sideways rain and strong winds to shoot a one-under 71 at the Scottish Open in Irvine, giving him a three-way share of the third-round lead.

Poulter managed to control his swing, ball, and temperament in what he described as a “brutally tough” back nine, during which he was delighted to make only one bogey.

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He was tied at nine under with playing partner and fellow Englishman Callum Shinkwin, who produced another brilliant round of 68, and Australian player Andrew Dodt (69). The last of Poulter’s 14 worldwide victories was the WGC-HSBC Champions in China in November 2012.

Padraig Harrington started in a share of the lead but shot a 79 to drop to a tie for 23rd. Rickie Fowler struggled to read his putts and shot 74, giving him four shots to make up as he looks to add to his 2015 title.

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