Early bird Miyazato flies high

Japanese has a one-shot lead over No 1 Tseng

Ai Miyazato, the "early bird", put on a master class in the US$1.5 million Honda LPGA Thailand, finishing the rain-delayed second and third rounds with a total 14-under-par 202 to seize a one-shot advantage over world No 1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan.

The 2010 champion woke up at 4am to complete the last four holes of the second round postponed from Friday due to heavy rain. After a hitting a 70 in the morning, Miyazato was back on fire in the afternoon despite the overcast ambience at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course, firing a 65 to steal the thunder from midway leader Karrie Webb of Australia.

"It was a really, really long day for me. I've been up since 4 o'clock this morning so it's been awhile. But the temperature dropped down today so that helped a lot too. So that's why I think I could control myself out there. I kept a strong focus. It was a really long day out there but I felt really good," said Miyazato, who shot eight birdies including a hat-trick between the holes 13 and 15, against a lone bogey on the third.

The 26-year-old will be chasing her eighth LPGA title today. The last time the world No 11 held a trophy was in the Evian Masters in France last July.

"I think I just need to focus on my game. I know everyone is going to be aggressive tomorrow. If I can stay in my game until the last putt, I think I have a chance tomorrow,'' added Miyazato, who was the first round leader.

Trailing a stroke behind was Tseng, who shot back-to-back 65s for her first bogey-free round this week. The Taiwanese defending champion birdied the first, fifth, sixth, ninth, 11th, 13th and on the 18th where she missed an eagle putt for a total 13-under-par 203.

"I know it was really close. I tried to make an eagle on that one. I thought the ball was in but I made a good try and finishing 7-under I was really good,'' said Tseng, who beat Michelle Wie by five strokes last year to triumph on the course.

"I really want to win this tournament. To defend the title would be great. I always enjoy it out here because of the support of lot of fans. I'm very excited about tomorrow and looking forward to it,'' said the Taiwanese, who tees off with Miyazato at 12.21pm.

Webb, who got her second round done with a 65, started the day with three-shot lead but put in a below-standard third-round 71, which saw her two shots back off the lead with an aggregate 204. She shared third place with former world No 1 Shin Ji-yai, who carded 66 and 68 in the second and third rounds respectively.

"I really didn't swing it well and it progressively got worse as it went on. I made some really good pars out there today when I was struggling with my swing. I'm glad that I have played my way out of it. I'm only two shots back so I'll have a nice Thai massage tonight and my body will be back to normal by tomorrow hopefully,'' said the world No 20 and seven-time Grand Slam winner.

A shot behind at 206 were 2007 champion and world No 2 Suzann Pettersen of Norway, who hit a round of 69 and South Korean Amy Yang with 68.

Thailand's pride and joy Ariya Jutanugarn recorded her best score in the event with a stunning 65 to finish lone seventh with a nine-under-par 207. The teenage prodigy, after a bogey on the sixth hole, rebounded quickly to sink two eagles on the seventh and 10th holes followed by four birdies on the 11th, 13th, 15th and 18th.

"I was lucky to make those eagle putts. I felt quite confident right from the start and I made all those putts that I was expected to,'' said the 16-year-old, whose previous best round was a 67 in the third round last year. Ariya also admitted that playing alongside Cristie Kerr, one of her idols, was an inspiration.

"I used to study her swing from a video years ago and who would have thought I would be playing in the same group with her today. It's a happy day for me and I'm determined to have a better result than last year,'' added the World Junior No 1 Ariya, who finished a tied eighth 12 months ago.

Ariya was followed by South Korean Jenny Shin and American Stacy Lewis, who are both on 208.

Thai No 1 Porn Anong Phatlum, with a 209, was at joint 10th along with American Amanda Blumenherts and South Korean World No 3 Choi Na-yeon.