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Jang extends lead at women's British Open

Posted on: Saturday, 30 July 2005, 13:57 CDT

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."

Source: REUTERS

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