Creamer closes in on rookie title

Despite closing with two bogeys, Paula Creamer moved closer to clinching LPGA rookie of the year honors by shooting a 6-under-par 66 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead after three rounds at the Wendy's Championship for Children in Dublin, Ohio.

Creamer, who won the Sybase and Evian tournaments earlier this year, can lock up the rookie title with a win. That would give her an insurmountable lead over Meena Lee in the points standings that determine the award.

The 19-year-old was at 16-under 200 after three rounds at Tartan Fields Golf Club, one shot in front of Cristie Kerr and Soo-Yun Kang. Kerr matched Creamer's 66, while Kang shot a 69.

Champions -- Doug Tewell fired a 66 to catch Gil Morgan and gain a share of the lead heading into the final round of The Tradition in Aloha, Ore.

Dana Quigley of Rehoboth also shot 66 to move into fourth place, a shot behind Tom Jenkins (69) and two behind the leaders.

US Amateur -- Dillon Dougherty won the last two holes with a chip-in birdie and a gimme par after hitting the flagstick, beating J.C. Deacon, 1 up, to advance to the final at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa.

In the other semifinal, Italy's Edoardo Molinari built a 5-up lead through 11 holes and went on to defeat New Hampshire's Austin Eaton, 2 and 1, to reach today's 36-hole match play final.

European -- Luke Donald shot a 5-under 67 to lead the BMW International Open in Nord-Eichenried, Germany, by a stroke after three rounds while John Daly finished with a 65 that left him three behind.