Jang extends lead at women’s British Open

By Elspeth Burnside

SOUTHPORT, England (Reuters) – South Korea’s Jang Jeong
carded a three-under-par 69 to extend her lead to five shots
after the third round of the women’s British Open on Saturday.

The 25-year-old, who has never won in six seasons on the
LPGA Tour and led by four shots overnight, moved ahead to 13
under 203 at Royal Birkdale.

World number one Annika Sorenstam stepped up her bid to
become only the fourth woman to win three majors in a year by
finishing with two birdies for a 66 and joined American Cristie
Kerr, who had a 69, for second on eight under.

Michelle Wie, the 15-year-old American amateur, packed in
seven birdies while firing a 67 and finished six shots behind
Jang in a five-way tie for fourth on seven under.

Jang will partner Sorenstam in the pressure-packed final
round but remained undaunted as she chased victory in the final
major of the women’s season.

“I’ll definitely be nervous but not because I’m playing
with Annika but because I’m leading the golf tournament,” the
Korean said.

“I’ll certainly be watching what she is doing but I’ll just
try to keep playing my own game. I’ve had great fun up until
now and I just hope it continues into tomorrow.”

Nine-times major champion Sorenstam, who captured the 2003
British Open, had a flawless six birdie round in Saturday’s
benign conditions and has now made it through 38 holes without
a bogey. “This was the best I’ve played all week,” she said.

“I finally made some birdies at the par fives so that was
mission accomplished and tomorrow is going to be a big, big
day.

“I’m very happy with the way I’m playing. I think it’s my
best since I won the LPGA Championship at the start of June and
I feel good going into tomorrow.

“Jang has a big lead. But she has never won a tournament
never mind a major and I’m looking forward to the chase.”

Kerr closed out with a six-foot birdie putt to stake her
place among the chasing pack.

“I’m feeling good going into the last day. I could have
maybe scored better today but hopefully I’ll hole even more
putts tomorrow.”

Big-hitting Wie could have been closer to Jang if she had
grabbed more of her many birdie chances and the teen-ager
admitted she was “really frustrated.”

“I didn’t hole anything longer than nine feet,” said the
American.

“I’m still pretty happy with my score but I just feel it
could have been so much better.”