Pressel in U.S. Amateur Final

Morgan Pressel compensated for some shaky putting Saturday with a 92-yard eagle at No. 10 on her way to reaching the final at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Roswell, Ga.

Pressel defeated Angela Park, a 16-year-old from Torrance, 3 and 1, and will play Maria Martinez in today’s 36-hole final.

Pressel, the U.S. Open runner-up, overcame three near-misses in a row before taking the lead for good with her long wedge shot on the par-five 10th.

Park eagled the fourth hole to take an early lead, but 17-year-old Pressel followed with two consecutive birdies. After going ahead with her eagle, Pressel ended the match with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17.

Martinez, a 21-year-old Auburn senior and the only non-teenager in the semifinals, never relinquished the lead after she birdied No. 6 to go 1-up in her 4-and-3 victory over 19-year-old Alison Whitaker.

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Cameron Beckman made five birdies and an eagle to take the lead after two rounds of the International with 23 points, one ahead of Billy Mayfair, Charles Howell and Brandt Jobe.

Rounds three and four of the rain-delayed tournament will be played today at Castle Rock, Colo.

Also in contention are David Toms, who scored 12 points to bring his total to 18; Retief Goosen, who scored 12 points to get to 17; and Phil Mickelson, who had a five-footer for eagle on 17 but three-putted to wind up with par. He scored 14 points to finish with 17.

“We’re not out there hitting people and tackling people, but walking 36 holes on this golf course is not easy,” Howell said. “I think it’s just as important to physically stay strong as it is mentally.”

Said Mickelson: “I’m actually going to go get a workout in, and try to build up some stamina for tomorrow.

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Tom Purtzer shot a three-under 69 to take a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the 3M Championship at the TPC of the Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn.

Purtzer, who opened with a tournament record-tying nine-under 63, moved to 12-under 132. He’s seeking his second Champions Tour victory in 17 months.

Five players are tied for second at nine under -- Lonnie Nielsen (68), Bruce Lietzke (71), Craig Stadler (67), David Eger (68) and Hajime Meshiai (66).

Defending champion Tom Kite is in a five-way tie at eight under after a second-round 69.

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Scott Peterson shot a nine-under 63 to take a two-shot lead over Steve LeBrun after the third round of the Nationwide Tour’s Cox Classic at Omaha.

Peterson is at 22-under 194. LeBrun also shot a 63. Roger Tambellini (68) is in third place at 197.

Jason Gore, who had a 12-under 59 in the second round, is tied for fourth with Jon Mills (71) at 198 after shooting a 68.

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Annika Sorenstam birdied the last two holes for a five-under 67, giving her a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the Scandinavian TPC at Loddekopinge, Sweden. She was at four-under 212, with Suzann Pettersen at 213 after a 69. Gwladys Nocera was at 214 after three-putting the last hole for a 71.