Australian Karrie Webb demonstrated her world No. 1 credentials Saturday, firing a course-record 8-under-par 64 to extend her overnight lead to eight strokes after the third round of the 60 million yen Nichirei Cup World Ladies golf tournament.
Last year's U.S. LPGA money queen sank the first of eight successful birdie putts on the opening hole at the Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club, chipped in for eagle on the par-5 17th and could even afford the luxury of two inward-nine bogeys.
Webb also made four straight birdies from Nos. 13-16 but, despite following her eagle on the next hole by bogeying the last, to reach the clubhouse with a 13-under 203 total and a seemingly insurmountable lead over Japanese pair Yuri Fudo and Junko Yasui.
"The highlight was the chip-in on 17, but I also made a lot of putts from various distances," said Webb, who has already won four titles on the U.S. LPGA circuit this season. "The 11th and 18th aren't happy holes for me, though."
Fudo recovered from an up-and-down front nine to record four birdies after the turn in a third-round 69 and finish the day tied for second place on 5-under 211 with Yasui, who also produced a 69 in overcast conditions.
Japan LPGA veteran Ayako Okamoto followed two straight rounds of 71 with a 73 for sole possession of seventh place. South Korean star Pak Se Ri finally came to life after barely making the weekend cut, battling to a 4-under-par 68 to improve to 3-over 219.
Three-way split
ITO, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Veteran Tsukasa Watanabe survived a roller-coaster back nine for a 3-under-par 68 on Saturday to move into a three-way tie for the lead with Tateo Ozaki and Kenichi Kuboya after three rounds of the Fujisankei Classic.