Ochoa’s lead only one after bogey

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Lorena Ochoa’s three-putt at the 18th hole took the fun out of another big step toward her first major title. Michelle Wie’s missed-cut suggested she’s still a long way from her first victory.

Ochoa missed a four-footer on the final hole to give her an even-par 73 and a one-stroke lead at St. Andrews in the Women’s British Open. Wie was preparing another early flight home. She shot an 80 for a seven-over score of 153 that missed the cut by two.

“It’s a disappointment because I didn’t play as well as I wanted to,” said Wie, who has struggled with a left wrist injury.

Ochoa went to the 18th with a two-shot lead and faced a 25-foot putt for birdie. Instead of walking off three ahead of the field, the advantage slipped to one as her first putt went four feet past and then she missed that to wind up with a bogey.

She also missed a putt for eagle at No. 14, but her six-under 140 put her one ahead of Wendy Ward (70) and Catriona Matthew (68).

“It was a good day. I’m pleased with my round,” said Ochoa, ranked No. 1 in the world.

Defending champion Sherri Steinhauer, who has won this event three times, shot a 71 for a 143 total and tie for fourth.

She picked up two shots on the outward nine, including a 50-foot birdie putt at the sixth.

Annika Sorenstam, who won the 2003 Open at Royal Lytham for one of her 10 majors, also improved to three under after a 71 that included four birdies and two bogeys.

“I thought I hit the ball beautifully today and had a lot of chances,” she said. “Those two would have been nice, but otherwise I was playing to my game plan.”