Paige Hoffman had never played in the Iowa Women’s Amateur prior to this year. It didn’t take long for the rookie to in a groove – One she didn’t even expect.

Hoffman, following consecutive rounds of 71, leads the way at Otter Creek Golf Course in the 95th playing of the event.

“It was definitely a different of a 71 today,” Hoffman said compared to her round yesterday. “There was no wind practically through the whole round. I didn’t hit my irons as well today, so it was more of a scramble. I made a lot of longer putts. It was nice to have the wind die down.”

Hoffman said a win tomorrow would be mean a lot.

“I am just going to stay focused,” Hoffman said. “It would mean a lot (to win). I would be surprised as I wasn’t expecting to play this well. It would be an experience I would never forget.”

Sitting just a shot back of Hoffman’s lead is defending champion Sierra Hargens. Hargens, who shot 72 (+1) in the second round, said she is ready to go out and defend her title tomorrow in the final round. Ames’ Joy Chou is tied with Hargens and trails by just one stroke heading into the final round.

“I hit my irons really close yesterday and today I didn’t hit them as close,” Hargens said. “I had a lot more 15-footers. I managed to two-putt those and went on with my game. I knew it was playing hard out there. It was hard to club today, you didn’t know which way the wind was going at time, but I was able to manage (it). I am going to just keep chipping away and not put any results in my head. I know I can do this.”

In the Open Division, Kelly Nelson of Waterloo leads Janece Schwartzkopf of Stuart by four shots. Nelson posted a round of 73 (+2) on Tuesday, which included an eagle 2 on her opening hole.

Final round action will conclude tomorrow.

Click here for a full recap of 36-hole scores.