Darkness May Have Lit Christina Kim's Open Back Up

As darkness shrouded Oakmont Country Club and ended the third day of play at the US Women's Open, Christina Kim was in trouble. 

After having reached the par 5 ninth in two, she three-putted from 25 feet to make an unacceptable par.  Following the miss for bird, Kim screamed up to the sky in disgust.  She bounced back with birdie at ten, but bogeys at 11 and 12 left her at +5 when darkness hit.  At that moment, she was a full seven shots back of Paula Creamer - who appeared to be quickly lapping the field.

When I was contacted by one of her supporters last night, the major question was, "What in the world happened out there?"

After a brief conversation, I ended the topic with, "Darkness is probably the best thing that could have happened."

That turned out to be the case.  Kim played the final six holes in two under par.  She finished at +3 and stands four back of Paula Creamer.  For her part, Creamer held onto the momentum that she was using to steamroll the field late on Saturday.  She dropped a shot, but finished alone in red figures and three clear of Wendy Ward.

Kim will play again in the final round with Suzann Pettersen, but have a new partner in 15 year old Alexis Thompson.  She turned in a round of one-under par to get into this position.  That group is scheduled to go off at 12:09, though the pin at 1 may have a lot to say about the true start time.