Mon, Aug 04, 2008 page20

• Fudoh grabs one-shot Open lead

  • AFP
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  Japan’s Yuri Fudoh maintained her challenge to become the second Japanese player to win a women’s major with a third round 69 on Saturday at the Women’s British Open.

  On 13-under 203, the 31-year-old led by a shot from South Korea’s Shin Ji-yai, who dropped a shot at the last in a round of 70, with another Japanese player, Ai Miyazato, in third place on 11-under after a 68.
  
  

  But it was an up and down day for defending champion and world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa.
  
  

  

  Natalie Gulbis of the US plays out of the rough on the 11th hole during the third round of the Women’s British Open in Sunningdale, England, on Saturday.

  PHOTO: AP

  The Mexican thrust herself into contention with an outward half of 32, but then hit a few too many wayward shots in a poor back nine of 39 for a 71.
  
  

  On eight-under, she was five shots off the lead, but certainly not out of it.
  
  

  “I hit the ball really badly on the back nine, but it was very windy and quite difficult,” Ochoa said. “I’m glad today’s over, but it’s only the third round. I’m not too far behind and there will be lots of birdies to be made tomorrow. My swing didn’t feel too good by the end, but I’m still happy to be in there.”
  
  

  

  Taiwan’s Yani Tseng chips onto the first green during the third round of the Women’s British Open in Sunningdale, England, on Saturday.

  PHOTO: AFP

  On a day of tricky conditions, Fudoh showed an excellent touch around the greens as she packed five birdies into the first 11 holes.
  
  

  She let one slip at the sixth and her only other mistake was a wayward second that cost her a bogey at the 17th. Fudoh has the experienced Pete Coleman, who worked for Bernhard Langer for many years, as her caddie, and she gave him some of the credit.
  
  

  “I followed his advice and didn’t feel under too much pressure,” she said. “Now I just hope it is the same tomorrow [Sunday].”
  
  

  

  Japan’s Momoko Ueda watches her drive from the third tee during the third round of the Women’s British Open in Sunningdale, England, on Saturday.

  PHOTO: AP

  Shin, a 20-year-old superstar of the South Korean circuit who always plays with a smile on her face, birdied the long second and 10th and picked up another shot at the short par-four ninth.
  
  

  Her only error came at the 18th when she hit into the stand, had a free drop, but still could not rescue par.
  
  

  “I feel good about tomorrow,” said the youngster, who had a sixth place in last year’s US Women’s Open. “I’m looking forward to the last round and being in the last pair again.”
  
  

  Miyazato, like Fudoh, has a chance to follow in the footsteps of Chako Higuchi, who became the first Japanese woman to win a major at the 1977 LPGA Championship.
  
  

  Annika Sorenstam, in her final major before retirement, still struggled to hit the form that has earned 10 majors in her glorious career. She did produce a little magic with an eagle at the par-four 11th — holing a 38-yard wedge shot — but two bogeys in the last six holes left her with a 70 for two-under.
  
  

  “I got to four under and hoped I might get to five or six and really get back into it, but it was not to be,” the 2003 champion said.
  
  

  Taiwan’s Yani Tseng remained in contention at nine-under 207, four shots off the lead, after a third round 68. Compatriot Candy Kung had a bad day and finished with a two-over 74 to sit at three-under for the tournament going into the final round.
  
  

  Additional reporting by staff writer

  Also See: Shin, Fudoh take halfway lead at windy British Open
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