Kerr driving, and thriving, at US Open

Kerr moved a step closer to her second US Women’s Open title in three years, shooting a 1-over-par 72 yesterday to take a two-stroke lead over Eun Hee Ji into the final round. At 2 under par, she’s the only player in red numbers through 54 holes, and has shown no signs of being nervous or reluctant to embrace the moment. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Kerr seems to be thriving on it.

She certainly doesn’t have two hands on the trophy yet, or even one hand, because six players are within five shots. But having won this tournament two years ago, Kerr knows what it feels like, and wants to raise the shiny, silver prize once again.

“I feel pretty good. I’m not nervous. I feel calm. I know what I’ve got to do and I’m just going to go out and do it,’’ Kerr said. “I’ve been there. I know I can handle it.’’

This is Kerr’s 14th Women’s Open, and she’s very familiar with how the US Golf Association sets up its courses. Tough pins. A pre mium on accuracy. An even higher premium on patience and strategy.

“Even as the temptation is to try and want to make more birdies, I’ve said it’s equally important, if not more important, to try and eliminate mistakes. I think I’ve done that,’’ said Kerr, who has 10 birdies, no three-putts, and no double bogeys so far. “You’re going to make some bogeys on this golf course. It’s kind of unavoidable.’’

She made three bogeys yesterday, but countered with kick-in birdies on the par-3 fourth and the par-4 15th. She started with a one-stroke lead, never lost it, and ultimately doubled it, plugging along with pars and not putting herself in position to make a high number.

Kerr’s closest pursuers are all chasing their first major championship. Kerr has one, and 11 other LPGA Tour victories. She won the 2007 Women’s Open by taking a lead into the final round. She’s won on tour by coming from eight shots back. She likes the opportunity she’s created.

“I think I have the advantage,’’ Kerr said. “I’ve won every way there is to win on tour. With my experience and the way I’m playing, I think to have the lead is the advantage.’’

Ji, a 23-year-old from South Korea, won on the LPGA Tour last year, placed 15th on the money list, and has six top-15 finishes this year. The talent, obviously, is there, even if the name recognition might not be. She made birdies on Nos. 10, 14, and 17 yesterday, shot 32 on the back nine, and seemed almost as cool on the course as Kerr.

“To me, it’s just another golf tournament,’’ Ji said. “I’ll be fine.’’

Jean Reynolds, the spunky unknown from Newnan, Ga., shot 74 and is tied with Teresa Lu (70) for third, four strokes back. Reynolds didn’t get rattled at the enormity of the situation or what she’s trying to do until the end of the round, when she bogeyed three of her final four holes. She won’t be in the final pairing today, but she’s within shouting distance, a position she would have jumped at when the week began.

“I’m having a blast here, so I’m going to do the same thing [today]. I just don’t feel like I’ve got anything to lose,’’ said Reynolds, who was lamenting two three-putts and two closing bogeys with pulled approach shots. “I’ve hung in there all week. I’d like to shoot under par [today] and see where that puts me. It should be pretty exciting.’’

Paula Creamer, hoping this finally would be the week when her major championship drought ends, stumbled over a six-hole stretch that left her on the verge of tears and probably too far back to win. For a few fleeting moments, as she lined up a par putt on No. 2 that she eventually missed, Creamer was tied for the lead. Playing the sixth hole, she was only two shots back. Picking her ball out of the hole on No. 11, her deficit had reached seven.

The par-4 10th seemed harmless enough, made easier by the decision to use a forward tee measuring only 253 yards from the flagstick. But Creamer found trouble from the start, bunkering her drive, and things quickly deteriorated from there. Bladed bunker shot over the green. Chip short. Chip short. Chip on. Two putts. Seven swats, with NBC’s cameras catching Creamer appearing to get teary-eyed as she waited to putt out, looking stunned.

“I’m not sure what happened there. Just kind of felt like one shot after another seven times,’’ said Creamer, who stands at 6 over after a 79, which matches her highest score ever at a Women’s Open. “The easiest thing to say is I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I shot 79. I played bad. I guess I deserved to shoot that.’’

Michael Whitmer can be reached at mwhitmer@globe.com