PALM DESERT, Calif. — Suzann Pettersen, coming off a playoff victory over Lorena Ochoa last weekend, birdied her final four holes yesterday to charge into a tie with the top-ranked Mexican star in the Samsung World Championship.

Pettersen shot an 8-under 64 to match Ochoa at 12-under 204 through three rounds at Big Horn Golf Club. Ochoa, the defending champion in this event, had a 69 that included a bogey-5 on the final hole.

Angela Park, who has clinched the 2007 rookie of the year award, shot a 69 to join Jeon Jang (68) and Mi Hyun Kim (67) at 205.

Hawai'i's Michelle Wie shot a 5-over 77 and remained in 20th and last place at 19-over 235.

ELSEWHERE

Frys.com Open: Rookie George McNeill shot a 5-under 67 on a windy day at TPC Summerlin to take a five-stroke lead in the Frys.com Open at Las Vegas.

The 32-year-old McNeill — who only last year worked as an assistant pro in Fort Myers, Fla., birdied four of his last eight holes to finish at 13-under 197.

Robert Garrigus (68) and D.J. Trahan (72) were tied for second at 202.

Administaff Small Business Classic: Bernhard Langer shot a 7-under 65, erasing an early bogey with eight birdies, to maintain a four-shot lead after two rounds of the Champions Tour's Administaff Small Business Classic at Spring, Texas.

Langer's 17-under 127 total broke the 36-hole tournament record of 128 set by defending champion Jay Haas last year. Mark O'Meara (64) and Texan Tom Kite (65) are at 131.

SHORT PUTTS

Six-time champion Ernie Els beat Henrik Stenson, 3 and 2, to advance to the final of the World Match Play Championship against U.S. Open winner Angel Cabrera, a 2 and 1 winner over Hunter Mahan at Virginia Water, England. ... Argentina's Daniel Vancsik shot a 4-under 68 for a 13-under 203 total and a two-shot lead after the third round of the Madrid Open in Spain.