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| | Saturday, 10 August, 2002, 16:32 GMT 17:32 UK Koch maintains Open bid  Koch tees off at Turnberry's tenth hole Sweden's Carin Koch continued her impressive bid for the Weetabix Women's British Open title in the third round at Turnberry. Koch, the joint overnight leader with Taiwan's Candie Kung, joined surprise leader Jennifer Rosales of the Phillippines on 12 under par with a long birdie putt at the last. Starting the day at eight under, Koch birdied the 15th to pick up her fourth shot of the day, before a bogey at the 17th dropped her back to 11 under. But she recovered her composure to finish with a flourish and stay out in front alongside Rosales.
"I would love to win this championship," Koch told BBC Sport. "I have only won once in Europe and once in the US, so to win here on a beautiful course... I can't think of anything better." Rosales, three shots behind Koch at the start of play, was the leader in the clubhouse after a superb seven-under 65 with not a single dropped shot all day. The 23-year-old is the only Philippino on the LPGA Tour and has never previously led any tournament, but now has a chance of landing her first major title. "I was just excited to come here and I tried all my shots today," Rosales said. "I really played well and it was a perfect round for me." The pair lead by two strokes from American Natalie Gulbis, who chipped in at the last hole to card a 67, and Spain's Paula Marti. Rookie American Beth Bauer is in the group a shot further back on nine under, which also includes two-time former British Open winner Karrie Webb.
Webb previously won at Woburn and Sunningdale when the tournament was not classed as a major, and moved ominously into contention after a mixed season by her high standards. "The conditions were perfect for scoring today - we couldn't have had it much easier with the course playing downwind," Webb said. "I am glad I have got a chance tomorrow because it would great to win here at Turnberry." Kung, the joint overnight leader, carded a 71 to also leave her in the group on nine under. Defending champion Se Ri Pak from Korea ensured she will be in the shake-up on the final day with a 69 to move within four shots of the leaders. She was joined in the bunch on eight under by Korea's Jeong Jang, who recorded the second best round of the day with a 66, and three-time major winner, Meg Mallon. Leaders after third round (par 72; GB & Ireland unless stated) -12 Carin Koch (Swe) 68, Jennifer Rosales (Phi) 65 | |
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