GOLF / NCAA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS : UCLA’s Erb Shoots 70, Leads by 3

Christy Erb of UCLA, relying on solid play with her irons, shot a two-under-par 70 to take the individual lead by three shots Thursday after two rounds of the NCAA women’s golf championships.

Erb’s round led the Bruins to the top of the team standings through 36 holes.

After sharing the lead with Illinois’ Renee Heiken at 71 in the first round, Erb leads San Jose State’s Tracy Hanson and Kelly Robbins of Tulsa by three shots at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course.

Erb, a junior, hit only nine greens in regulation in the opening round, but hit 16 in the second round. She had four birdies, including one on the 18th hole after hitting a wedge to within three feet.

Hanson followed a 73 with a 71 to tie for second place at 144 with Robbins, who shot her second consecutive 72.

UCLA’s four top scorers averaged 72 to vault the Bruins to the lead with 589 strokes. San Jose State was second at 591, followed by South Florida with 596.