British Open - 3rd Round
by hound dog on Aug 1, 2009 1:56 PM PDT
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PrintCatriona Matthew (-4) has a three-shot lead going into the final round of the Women's British Open. Christina Kim is in second place at -1, Jiyai Shin and Ai Miyazato are tied for third at even par while Mika Miyazato and Song-Hee Kim are tied for fifth at +1.
Tied for the lead at -3 to start the day, Matthew headed in the wrong direction with bogeys at 3 and 4. A birdie at 5 got her back to -2. Co-leader Giulia Sergas also bogeyed 3 and then birdied 6 to briefly take the solo lead at -3. Bogey at 7 and double-bogey at 8 knocked Giulia back to even par. Birdies at 9 and 11 got Sergas back on track but then she blew up - +5 over the next five holes, leading to a 78 which dropped her to +3 T11. Catriona birdied 10 to get back to -3 and then 13 to go -4. She parred out to finish right there.
Yuko Mitsuka started one back and double-bogeyed 1, but came back to birdie 2 and 3. She stayed within a shot until a bogey at 8 started her collapse. On the back nine Mitsuka shot 43 with a double and four bogeys. Yuko is now +5 T18. Song-Hee Kim was two back to start the day but started slowly, with bogeys at 1 and 6. Three straight birdies (9-11) drew her to within a shot of the lead but she bogeyed 12 and doubled 14. Christina Kim had the slow-and-steady round amongst the leaders as she bogeyed 1, birdied 11 and 18 and converted 15 pars to remain three in back of Matthew but also move up into second place. The Fightin' Miyazatos of Okinawa made their move too. Evian champ Ai reached -2 with a birdie at 11 but bogeys at 12 and 14 set her back. Rookie Mika shot 69 with five birdies and two bogeys over her last 12 holes.
Other players who shot their way out of contention today were Marianne Skarpnord (76 +5 T18), Cristie Kerr (75 +6 T23), Yani Tseng (78 +6 T23) and worst of all, Sophie Gustafson (82 +11 T47). Remind me to never name Sophie in my weekly picks again. Four players I've yet to mention are in the Top 10 and go to Sunday within six shots. Paula Creamer, Jane Park, Kyeong Bae and Shinobu Moromizato are all +2. With only ten players in front of them, the threesome at +3 should be considered reasonable longshots too - Hee-Won Han (69 on Saturday), Hee Young Park and Sergas.
I didn't see the coverage on ABC this afternoon but it appears that the scoring stayed about at Friday's level of difficulty. Anybody who did watch, please mention in the comments what the playing conditions were like. UPDATE: After reading other accounts, it was miserable early and rather nice late. That'll spread out the board pretty quick. I will be glued to the leaderboard tomorrow morning and will probably live-blog the final round. Not to wish any foul luck on Ms. Matthew (a win in only her second LPGA start back from maternity leave would be a great story, especially after the hotel fire episode last week) but I hope this doesn't turn into a runaway.
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Shows that the WBO hasn’t had a close finish since 2003 when Annika Sorenstam and Se Ri Pak came to the last hole tied for the lead but made bogey enabling Sorenstam to win.
2004 was close going into Sunday but that was the year Karen Stupples opened eagle double eagle and it was essentially over after the 2nd hole on Sunday
2005 had Jeong Jang leading by five going into Sunday. She maintained her lead, fought off a mini challenge from one or two players but ended up winning by 4.
2006 had Steinhauer leading by 3 at the beginning of the day, and won by 3 when the dust was settled.
2007 Ochoa wires the field. No suspense at all.
2008 Ji Yai Shin wasn’t the final round leader it was a close tournament with nine holes to go but then the final round queen went into overdrive. Shin won by 3.
Matthew looks tough at this moment. The primary suspense tomorrow may end up being how the Solheim Cup teams finalize themselves. Jane Park got to within 1 shot of a tie for 2nd today before closing with a bogey. Now she’s 3 behind C Kim. Only a win or solo second(which ties Park with Gulbis and I’m assuming both make the team and Daniel loses one Captain’s pick. If it comes down to that, Inkster will be in, Wie out) would put Park on the team. Then there are Daniel’s Captains selections.
This is why I like to read and post here. Have not seen analysis like this on mainstream media coverage.
Mathews has been impressive. If she wins it makes the Solheim more interesting. Don’t know if Christina Kim can hand on Sunday. She does make for an interesting watch. Shin and Miyazato makes for an interesting rivalry for Sunday.
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