Choi Shoots 65 to Take Lead at U.S. Women's Open KOHLER, Wis. - The slightly built Na Yeon Choi would appear no match for the blustery Wisconsin wind Saturday that helped cool the oppressive heat wave that had gripped this area the past week. But Choi, a 24-year-old South Korean, stood her ground on the blustery Blackwolf Run course during the third round of the United States Women's Open, firing a seven-under-par 65 to open a six-stroke lead. While much of the field struggled with the wind, Choi and her fellow South Korean Amy Yang seemed unbothered by the conditions. Choi is at eight-under 208 for the tournament, followed by Yang, who had the second-best round of the day with a 69, at two-under 214. "There was a lot of wind out there," Choi said. But I just tried to put the ball where I want. My caddie gave me a number and I trusted his number," she added of the distance she needed for each shot. All 14 clubs were working very well. When the round started, 12 players were under par, but by the end only five remained, including the American Lexi Thompson (72), Germany's Sandra Gal (74) and Japan's Mika Miyazato (73). Those three head into the final round tied for third place at one under. Choi's 65 broke the course Open record for a round set Friday by Michelle Wie, who declared herself "back" after she shot a 66. Choi's score Saturday also tied her for lowest third-round score in any United States Women's Open, joining Judy Clark at Baltusrol in 1985 and Karrie Webb at Pumpkin Ridge in 1997. "I thought today would be very difficult with the wind blowing a lot, but I birdied the first and second holes and I got a very good vibe from that," said Choi, who had just 26 putts. I felt confident to the last hole and had good patience, and that's why I had a good round today. Choi, who had eight birdies in the round, hit 15 greens in regulation and made her birdies in clusters. She had a bogey-free 32 on the front nine, birdieing Nos. 1, 2, 7 and 8. On the 554-yard par five seventh, she sank her longest putt of the round, a 20-footer. She made short putts for birdies on 10, 11 and 12. After a blip at the 166-yard 13th, where she three-putted from 50 feet for a bogey, she got back to eight under for the tournament with a 15-foot birdie putt at 17. Yang also appeared to ignore Saturday's shifting wind. "It was a lot different," she said of the playing conditions. Almost there was no wind the last two days, but it was 15 to 20 miles, and it made the course a little bit drier and hard to play. I had some good shots to the greens. I had good chances. Thankfully, my striking was good, and it's great. The same could not be said for the second-round leaders - Suzann Pettersen of Norway and Wie - who each shot a third-round 78. Pettersen, who entered the round at five under par and a stroke ahead of Wie, heads into Sunday's final round nine strokes off Choi's lead. Pettersen knew it was not her day when she four-putted the third hole for her first of two double bogeys. "It was hard to get a rhythm to start off; it took forever to play," Pettersen said. There were a lot of holdups. I just lost a little bit there at the back nine. It feels bad to give away that many shots in that few holes. But it's a U.S. Open and hopefully, well, I have a round tomorrow to make up for it. Today wasn't easy. Wie, who opened her day with three bogeys in her first six holes, never got settled. "I mean it was tough out there," said Wie, who added that Choi's score "was pretty crazy, that 65 today. Good for her. But I think tomorrow we'll see what happens. Choi and Yang have more in common than their South Korean heritage. Both credit Se Ri Pak, and her victory in the 1998 Open at this course, with starting their golf careers. "I was watching 14 years ago when Se Ri took off her shoes and socks to win at Blackwolf Run," Choi said. I was 9 or 10, but I remember when she won here. I was just starting in golf, but that changed my dreams. First, my dream was to win on the Korean Tour, but after that I wanted to win on L.P.G.A. Tour. Choi will have the opportunity to win one of the biggest prizes in women's golf on Sunday, and with a huge head start on the field. "I'm pretty sure I'll be nervous tomorrow, but I have confidence and this is a good opportunity to win the U.S. Open," she said. I know what I have to do and what I can control. I can't control winning or my score. I can just do my best.