BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Cristie Kerr is feeling a sense of calm only a former U.S. Women's Open champion could understand.

Armed with the knowledge of what it takes to win the championship, the 2007 winner is set to make a push for another title.

Kerr scrambled for a 1-over 72 yesterday, pulling away from struggling playing partner Paula Creamer and building a two-shot lead over Eun Hee Ji of South Korea after three rounds of the Women's Open.

Kerr was the only player under par — 2-under 211 — after three rounds on the narrow fairways and speedy, undulating greens of Saucon Valley Country Club.

Now, Kerr, who won at Pine Needles in '07, is in a position to claim her second title in three years. She's looking forward to the fourth-round challenge and playing in the lead.

"There really isn't a better place for me," the 12-time LPGA Tour winner said after two birdies and three bogeys. "I love this golf course.

"I feel good. I'm sure there's going to be some nerves in the morning. But I've been there. I know I can handle it."

Futures Tour player Jean Reynolds is an unlikely challenger for the title despite two wins in the developmental tour this year.

The 24-year-old from Georgia started two strokes back and was one off the lead before stumbling down the stretch. She closed with a bogey at the 15th and back-to-back bogeys at 17 and 18 on the way to a 3-over 74. She's tied for third at 2-over 215 with Teresa Lu of Taiwan, who had a 1-under 70.

Reynolds is eager to make a run at the title in just her second Open.

"I love being in the hunt on Sunday," the Futures Tour leading money winner this season said. "I just enjoy having the chance to win ... and if I stumble, I try not to let it get to me."

South Korea's In-Kyung Kim (72) and Hee Young Park (72), and Taiwan's Candie Kung (68) are tied for fifth at 3-over 216. Brittany Lincicome (73), Suzann Pettersen (72) and Kyeong Bae of South Korea (69) are tied for eighth at 217.

The wind was blowing at the Old Course in Lehigh Valley, drying out the putting surfaces and adding speed to the testy, undulating greens.

A handful of players took advantage of the USGA's move to shorten the distance of a number of holes to raise the risk-reward factor.

The 23-year-old Ji took advantage. She offset three bogeys with four birdies for a 1-under 70 and even-par 213 total to earn a spot in the final group with Kerr today in just her second Open.

Creamer quickly fell from contention. She had three bogeys on the front nine, a triple-bogey at 10 and a bogey at 11. She's at 6-over 219 after a 79.

ELSEWHERE

John Deere Classic: Steve Stricker matched the lowest score of his career with a 10-under 61, moving into second place, three shots behind Darron Stiles after two rounds of the rain-delayed John Deere Classic at Silvis, Ill.

Stiles (65), the first-round co-leader with Lee Janzen, remained on top at 13-under 129 at TPC Deere Run. Tim Petrovic (67) and Jerry Kelly (64) were at 9-under, and two-time U.S. Open champion Janzen (70) was in a crowd at 8-under with 36 holes scheduled for today.

Hawai'i's Dean Wilson, a Castle High alum, shot 70 and was tied for 14th at 7-under 135.

3M Championship: Nick Price birdied the final hole as part of a 4-under 68 to take a one-shot lead after the second round of the Champions Tour's 3M Championship at Blaine, Minn.

Price, who won the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am in April, barely missed his 45-foot eagle try before tapping in and moving to 11-under 133. Gene Jones (68) and Andy Bean (69) were at 134.

Scottish Open: Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano started with three consecutive birdies to shoot a 7-under 64 for 14-under 199 total and a one-stroke lead over Martin Kaymer (66) and Retief Goosen (69) going into the final round of the Scottish Open on the Loch Lomond course in Luss, Scotland.