Webb lurking in KL

Updated October 14, 2012 07:28:28

Australia's Karrie Webb holds down third place heading into the final round of the LPGA tournament in Kuala Lumpur.

Webb, who was co-leader after the first round, produced a 3-under-par 68 to move to 9-under through three rounds.

She is four shots shy of leader and defending champion Choi Na-Yeon.

"The putt on the last gets me that little bit closer," said Webb, who had five birdies and two bogeys to round off her day.

"I feel great going into the final round and it all depends how well Choi plays tomorrow."

Choi, who won the tournament last year and has led from the opening day, finished with a 3-under 68 for a total score of 13-under at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club

She had a lone bogey on the 10th hole. She started the day brilliantly, sinking a putt on the first hole to set the pace. She then had three more birdies on the fifth, 12th and 16th holes.

The day, however, belonged to fellow South Korean Park Inbee, who lit up the greens with a flawless 6-under 65 to move into contention.

With a three-day score of 11-under 202, the 24-year-old Park moved up from joint 12th to lie just two strokes behind Choi.

World number one Yani Tseng of Taiwan had her first sub-par round of the tournament with a 3-under 68, but is tied for 53rd on 5-over.

AFP

Tags: golf, sport, malaysia

First posted October 14, 2012 07:28:28

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Lurking Woods signals intent

Updated July 20, 2012 08:47:30

It was by no means the best round Tiger Woods has played in a British Open, but worryingly for the rest of the field the 14-times major winner putted superbly on slow greens to begin his title bid with a rock-solid 67.

The former world number one started like a train with four birdies in seven holes at Royal Lytham on his way to a 3-under-par first round, which left him three shots behind leader Adam Scott of Australia.

Woods rolled back the years with some phenomenal putting, an area of his game he has struggled with since the personal problems and injuries that have left him without a major title for four years.

That could be about to change if Lytham's greens do not provide more of a test.

"I only hit one putt that was off line," Woods said.

"I just needed to hit the putts a little bit harder. These greens are not quick.

"With the amount of rain that they've had on these things, they're not very fast. So I've got to make that adjustment."

After his fast start a string of birdie chances followed, as Woods drove the ball consistently well to find 13 of 14 fairways.

His one mishap came at the tough 15th hole where he pulled his drive left into deep rough and the course bared its teeth after being pummelled by Woods early on.

"People don't realise how deep some spots are. Some spots are pretty benign, but then there are a few spots where it's pretty deep out there," Woods said in reference to his attempted escape shot, which found an even worse lie.

"I was just trying to hit it 80 in the air. I had the face open but it snagged it and just went left."

The punishment was his only bogey of the day but it failed to take the smile off Woods' face over the closing three holes, as he joked with playing partners Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia.

"We've got a long way to go," Woods said.

Reuters

Tags: golf, sport, england, united-kingdom

First posted July 20, 2012 08:47:30

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Leishman lurking at Byron Nelson

Updated May 18, 2012 11:56:40

Twelve months after losing a playoff for the Byron Nelson Championship, Ryan Palmer had redemption on his mind after taking control of the tournament in Thursday's opening round.

The 35-year-old American made the most of ideal scoring conditions at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Texas, firing a flawless six-under-par 64 to grab a one-shot lead.

Australian Marc Leishman recorded a pair of eagles on his back nine to card a 65, ending a surprisingly calm day level with Germany's Alex Cejka who posted a bogey-free round.

Americans Scott Piercy, Charley Hoffman, Bill Lunde and Matt Kuchar - the world number five who won the Players Championship on Sunday - were among a group of seven players on four-under 66.

Though Palmer struggled with his driving over the last four holes on the challenging layout, he was delighted to stay at the top of the leaderboard, largely thanks to his superb short game.

"I had big pull hooks on my last four tee shots and I fought my way in," the Texan told reporters after making three birdies on each nine.

"I kinda locked up on my tee shots, but that's what the short game is there for, and fortunately it was good today. It's great to be in this spot again.

"Continuation from last year, that's what's cool about the whole thing. It was great. I felt great all morning, warm-up was great. I knew everything was going in the right direction.

A three-time champion on the PGA Tour, Palmer was beaten by compatriot Keegan Bradley on the first extra hole of last year's Byron Nelson Championship. This week, he is determined to respond in the best possible way.

"I keep telling myself, 'Redemption!'," Palmer smiled. "I didn't lose it last year by any means, but to get back in the same setting with the same people watching, here where I live, and just to have that feeling again....

"This time I want to be the guy standing with the trophy. That's been my focus ... leading up to the start of this tournament."

Leishman, who is bidding for his first victory on the PGA Tour, chipped in to eagle the par-four 11th and holed an eight-foot eagle putt at the par-five 16th to rocket up the leaderboard.

"It's nice having a real good chance for eagle, doesn't happen a whole lot," he said. "Both of the opportunities for eagle I had I was thinking about holing, and it's nice when they go in.

"I'm just trying to do what I can to give myself a chance (to win) really," added Leishman, who has twice been a runner-up on the PGA Tour at the 2009 BMW Championship and the 2010 Farmers Insurance Open.

Bradley launched his title defence with a 67 while American world number 10 Phil Mickelson and former world number one Ernie Els experienced mixed fortunes as they carded level-par 70s.

Left-hander Mickelson offset two birdies with two bogies, including his final hole where his drive and approach shot each ended up in bunkers, while South African Els clawed his way back after a bogey-bogey start.

"I'm frustrated that I'm letting shots slide here or there and I'm not capitalising on some birdie opportunities," said Mickelson.

"The course is in great shape and we had a perfect day.

"There are some low scores out there and plenty of birdies but I didn't take advantage of it."

Australian Jason Day had a frustrating round. The Queenslander was right in the mix at 5-under par after 16 holes, but a bogey on 17 and a double bogey on 18 pushed him back down the leaderboard to finish with a 2-under 68.

Reuters

Tags: sport, golf, united-states

First posted May 18, 2012 11:36:24

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