Fudoh Clings to One Shot Lead After 3rd Round of Women's British Open.

Yuri Fudoh and Ji-Yai Shin had identical rounds and scores after two rounds of the RICOH Women's British Open. Shin's 18th hole bogey was all that stood in the way of it happening again. Fudoh's -3, 69 gave her a whiff of breathing room in the form of a one shot lead over Shin. They'll both be in the final pairing again tomorrow. Ai Miyazato's excellent 68 gave her 3rd place alone, one in front of two Americans, Juli Inkster and Cristie Kerr. One more back was Mi Hyun Kim. The tiny one shot the round of the day, a 67. This left her T6 with Eun-Hee Ji, Natalie Gulbis, and Average Golfer's pick to win, Ya-Ni Tseng, all at -9. There was a three way tie at -8 featuring Na Yeon Choi, Momoko Ueda, and defending champion, Lorena Ochoa.

Inkster began the day eagle, birdie, but was derailed some by a back nine 38. Kerr had 6 birdies in her round, but 4 bogeys as well to bring her back down to earth. It appears it would take a 66 or so to challenge from 4 or 5 spots back on Sunday. Not that many strokes to overcome, but a host of other players. If conditions remain the same as today, there's birdies to be had.

Notables included Karrie Webb, 69, T15, Paula Creamer, 70, T19, Suzann Pettersen, 71, T19, and Annika, 70, T38. I'm sure it's not the way Annika wanted her "last" major to go.

It's a horse race on Sunday, down to the wire. Tune in.

Til' next,


Average Golfer Observation......With the surge of excellent Korean players, my spellcheck is crying "Uncle!".