Norway`s Suzann Pettersen takes one-stroke LPGA lead

London: Suzann Pettersen fired four birdies and an eagle in firing a six-under 66 to move one shot clear of the field after Saturday`s third round of the LPGA Manulife Classic.

The 34-year-old Norwegian, who is aiming for her 15th career LPGA win, got off to a blistering start with three birdies in a row to open her round to stand on 19-under 197 after 54 holes.

"Overall I am pretty happy," said Pettersen, who played the front nine at the Whistle Bear Golf Club course in five-under 31.

"Yeah, there`s a lot of people in the hunt for this and the course is playing great. I think it`s fun for the fans to see us shooting low scores and I`m excited to go back out there tomorrow and fight it to the very end.

"I`m making putts and giving myself a lot of opportunities. I`ve had a couple of small mistakes, but I`ve managed to save myself."

Pettersen has looked good since returning from a left shoulder injury that forced her to pull out of a pair of tournaments in April.

Colombia`s Mariajo Uribe fired a five-under 67 and slipped to one shot back after sharing the second round lead with Pettersen.

Uribe rolled in five birdies in a seven-hole span and finished with just one bogey, that on the par-3 17th, to stand on 198.

American Cristie Kerr, last year`s runner-up, also shot 67 and stands alone in third place on 199 with Sweden`s Pernilla Lindberg another two strokes adrift after a 68.

Uribe seeks her first LPGA victory. In 2011 she won the HSBC Brazil Cup, which is an unofficial event.

"I`ve been playing well this year, but my putting has been on and off," said Uribe. "So I`ve been coming from two top 20s, so obviously I know my game is getting there, and coming into the summer I really want to peak right now.

"So it would be great to get a win or second place before the second major of the year."

American Brittany Lang and Taiwan`s Tseng Ya-Ni both carded 69s to share fifth with American Katie Burnett, who fired a 67, on 202.