Lewis hopes to end winless drought for victims of Harvey

Stacy Lewis tees off on the 2nd hole during the third round of the LPGA Cambia Portland Classic at Columbia Edgewater Country Club on Saturday in Portland, Oregon. (AFP)

PORTLAND, Oregon: American golfing star Stacy Lewis says watching the resolve of the victims of a hurricane in her hometown of Houston, Texas has spurred her to help out.
Lewis, who is poised to win her first tournament in three years, is donating her prize money, win or lose, on Sunday to the victims of the storm once known as Hurricane Harvey which has killed at least 42 people and unleashed massive flooding that damaged up to 50,000 homes in Houston.
“I have been motivated,” said Lewis who shot a 65 Saturday to take a three shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the LPGA Tour’s Portland Classic. “I am more appreciative.
“You think you got it pretty tough. The people down there got it way tougher than us. It puts things in perspective.”
If Lewis can hold onto her lead on Sunday she would collect the winner’s cheque of $195,000. If she finished second she would earn $120,000.
Lewis moved to Houston as a youngster and her husband is the women’s golf coach at the University of Houston.
Lewis rode a flurry of early birdies to take control of the tournament in Saturday’s third round. She is at 17-under 199 through 54 holes, three clear of Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn.
Lewis surged into a three-way tie atop the leaderboard with a bogey-free 64 on Friday and continued her blistering play in the third round with birdies on five of the first eight holes.
“I know it’s been a while since I won. Everybody talks about it,” said Lewis. “I really feel like the last few months I’ve been playing some good golf.”
Moriya equalled the fast start by Lewis, also posting birdies on five of the first eight holes in her round of 66.
The sister of world No. 3, Ariya Jutanugarn, is seeking her first career victory.
“I was feeling great,” said Moriya. “I have been hitting solid and (gave) myself a lot of really good chances for birdie. Make some, miss some, but it’s still pretty solid round.”
South Korea’s In-Gee Chun, who started the day in a three-way tie for the lead, had three birdies and 15 pars for a three-under 69 that left her four shots off the pace at 203.
“I had a lot of solid shots on the course. Much better than yesterday,” said Chun. “I want to try and stay patient tomorrow.”
American Brittany Altomore shot a 66 and is alone in fourth place at 205. She is one shot ahead of a trio of players, comprising Mexico’s Gaby Lopez (64), Nicole Broch Larsen (67) and Chella Choi (68).