Kary Hollenbaugh takes two-shot lead into final round of the Women's Dixie Amateur

Kary Hollenbaugh will take a two-shot lead over Emma Schimpf and Katie Li into the final round of the 2002 Women's Dixie Amateur at Palm Aire Country Club in Sarasota, Fla.

The Ohio State freshman carded rounds of 66-68-71 to reach 8 under through three rounds, two ahead of the hard-charging Schimpf, who had closed to within one after back-to-back birdies on hole Nos. 13 and 14.

Hollenbaugh, who was the top-ranked junior player in the state of Ohio when she signed with the Buckeyes out of New Albany High School, took control of the tournament on Thursday when she opened with a 5-under 66. A second-round 68 gave her a two-stroke lead over the Duke commit Li entering the third round.

However, a bogey on the 14th hole on Saturday left her 2-over on her final round, but she quickly righted her ship with birdies on 15 and 17 to regain a two-shot margin over Schimpf, who closed with her second consecutive round of 70, and Li, who finished at even for the day.

Alice Ziyi Zhao, who was the co-medalist at the U.S. Women's Amateur last summer, and Canadian Vanessa Zhang are tied for fourth at 5-under 213 while Bella Dovhey, Siuue Wu and Ariana Silva also finished in red numbers at 1-under par.