Player Diary :
Jennifer Rosales

Jennifer Rosales is a graduate of the University of Southern California and has been on the LPGA Tour since 2000.  Her first victory came this year at the Chick-Fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez.

Her record in the U.S. Open consists of one top 10 in 2002, when she finished tied for seventh, and two top 15s -- a tie for 12^th in her first Open in 2000 and a tie for 13^th last year. After shooting a 2-under 69 Saturday, she held a three-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round.

Coming into this week I didn't expect to play this well, nor did I expect to be in this place. After my opening drive I wasn't sure what was going to happen.

I felt very calm and comfortable on the tee and then I hit my opening drive in a divot. I still hit a good shot, but in the end I made a bogey. But I didn't let it get me down.  It took me two holes to get it back with a birdie on the par-5 third, and that not only gave me confidence, it also allowed my to continue to follow my game plan of letting the birdies come on the front nine and try to take advantage of the early par 4s on the back nine. Luckily I got another birdie on the ninth hole to make the turn at 6 under par.

I made a few mistakes [Saturday] trying to make things happen when I didn't need to. One of the more glaring ones occurred on the 10^th hole.  I told myself not to go right and short-side myself and then I did exactly that.  I had made birdie there on Friday after making a birdie on the ninth hole and wanted to do it again.  I was just too greedy on the 10^th hole and made my second, and thank goodness my last bogey of the day.  I learned my lesson from that and went on.

Where I am and what I have an opportunity to do has not hit me yet. When I finally get back to my room and take a shower and chill out, then I will probably start feeling it.  The night will be similar as my other nights, TV, play with my dogs and my niece and nephews. My family means a lot and I'm glad they are here; I need them, especially now.

Three shots is a pretty good cushion, but with all those good players behind me it will be fun. I don't have to grind like they do; I can just go and play my game and make pars and hopefully make some birdies as well.

I will be spending my night trying not to think about my position and winning too much, right now, until the last hole on Sunday and will try to keep my emotions inside me.