Date: March 10, 2013
Author: Australian Ladies Professional Golf

Lunn and Arthur Leading Aussies in China

Queenslander Bree Arthur and NSW s Karen Lunn are the leading Australians heading into the final round of the Mission Hills World Ladies Championship in Haikou, southern China. The pair shared 18th position at three-under-par total and 11 shots adrift of the leader, South Korean Inbee Park. Arthur posted a third round of three-under-par 69 on the Sandbelt Trails Course, while Lunn shot a two-under-par. Rolex World No.4 Park took the edge after a hotly contested third round. Park began the day with a one stroke lead but lost it to Spain s Carlota Ciganda after three holes. However, the 24-year-old from Seoul regained her lead after four birdies on the back nine, firing a third round 69 to end 14 under and take a two shot lead into the final round. Park said: I had a really bad start today, I bogeyed two of the first four holes but I m happy with the way I finished today with five birdies after the two bogies. That s very good momentum going into tomorrow. I m just a little bit disappointed with my ball striking; it wasn t as good as yesterday but my putting was getting much better. Leading the chase is Norway s World No.8 Suzann Pettersen, who shot her second successive round of 67 and is outright second at 12-under-par. South Korea s Soo Jin Yang is a further two shots adrift, while Ciganda dropped to fourth on eight under after taking a triple bogey seven on the 17th hole. Of the remaining Australians in the field this week, Kristie Smith had a disappointing third round, she started the day in the top 10, however a three-over 75 saw her fall back down the leaderboard to two-under and into a share of 21st position. ACT s Nikki Campbell (73) and South Australian Stephanie Na (75) are tied for 31st at one-over-par. Victorian Open winner Stacey Keating had it going in the third round, she was four-under-par going out, however two doubles on her way in saw her post an even par round to remain at three-over and in a share of 40th. In terms of the teams event, which is being played in conjunction with the normal strokeplay, the South Korean pair of Park and Na Heul Kim hold a massive lead with a combined aggregate score of 18 under par and 10 shots ahead of Norway and Thailand a shot further back in third. France is in fourth place, followed by England, Spain and Australia. Lunn and Keating are representing Australia this week.