Fruhwirth Storms to the Front

Amy Fruhwirth stormed from behind with birdies on the last three holes Saturday to take a three-stroke lead in the weather-delayed LPGA Friendly’s Classic at Agawam, Mass.

Fruhwirth, a six-year pro looking for her first victory on the LPGA Tour, shot a four-under-par 68 for an eight-under 208 through 54 holes.

Fruhwirth prospered as the 36-hole leaders had bad days. Marilyn Lovander, who had a one-shot lead after two rounds, struggled to a 74 and fell back to 211 with Heather Daly-Donofrio, who opened the round only a stroke off the lead but shot a 73. Christy Erb, who was tied with Daly-Donofrio after Friday’s round, had an even worse day, plummeting seven strokes off the lead after a 77.

Brandie Burton, whose 67 was the best round of the day, grabbed a share of second at 211 along with Kim Saiki (68), Chris Johnson (70) and Pamela Kometani (70).

“I don’t ever watch the leaderboard, that makes me too nervous,” said Fruhwirth, a 29-year-old Scottsdale, Ariz., resident. “I just try to play my own game.

“I’m putting pretty great right now, everything is going in,” she said. “Putting is really the common denominator. You have to putt in order to score well.”

Fruhwirth had only 25 putts during a Saturday round marred by two lengthy rain delays.

Burton, one of the first to complete the third round, had six birdies and one bogey.

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Walter Hall, a former sales manager for a North Carolina appliance distributor, shot a three-under 69 for a three-stroke lead in the $1.1-million AT&T; Canada Senior Open at Calgary.

Hall completed 54 holes at 10-under 206, three better than Tom Jenkins and Brian Barnes, who shared the 36-hole lead, and Bruce Summerhays, who had a piece of the opening-day lead.

Barnes and Jenkins each shot a 73 and Summerhays had a 71 over the 6,942-yard Glencoe Golf & Country Club course.

Hall’s round was highlighted by birdies on Nos. 3, 5, 14 and 16. His only bogey came at No. 9.