Ochoa was trying to become the first player to win three straight Samsungs and capture her eighth title of 2008 and second in two many weeks after a victory last week in Prattville, Ala. She birdied three straight holes — Nos. 8-10 — to get to 6 under. Now, Ochoa will look for another strong finish next week at nearby Danville in a second consecutive event tour in Northern California.

“I think I had a slow start making a couple of bogeys and I wanted to come back and finish strong on the back,” Ochoa said. “I’m happy. I’m glad I gave myself an opportunity to win the tournament.”

Five-time Samsung champion Annika Sorenstam finished her final appearance in this event at 3-over 291 after a 70. She tossed a ball into the crowd after her round, then signed her share of autographs.

Kim, a 20-year-old having a breakout season and one of eight South Koreans in this field, matched her career-best finish of second. She also was runner-up at the Corona Championship in Mexico in April. Yet Kim said she needs to work on improving her conditioning going into 2009 to stay near the top of the leaderboard or to win her first championship.

“Going in yesterday I didn’t have a great feel for my shots, so I was a little worried going into the round today,” Kim said through a translator. “I had some opportunities but I wasn’t able to convert all of them, so I’m a little frustrated.”

Pettersen eagled the par-5 eighth and followed with a pair of birdies to stay in contention. The Norwegian is still searching for first victory of 2008 after winning five times in 2007, including at the Longs Drugs Challenge event to be played at Danville next week.

Creamer knows her throng of fans will expect even more now and be eager for another victory.

“That’s going to be even more pressure,” she said, smiling.

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