World number one Lorena Ochoa took total command of the Ricoh Women&aposs British Open as wild winds sent scores soaring in today&aposs third round at the Old Course, St Andrews. Ochoa carded a terrific round of 73, level par, to lead on six under, six shots ahead of Sweden&aposs Linda Wessberg. Former world number one Karrie Webb was the best of the Aussies, carding a one-over 73 in the tough conditions. But despite the solid effort on day three, Webb is a massive 11 shots off the pace heading into the final round. Former world number one Annika Sorenstam struggled to a 77 and was in a four-way tie for third place on one over par but Scot Catriona Matthew, tied second overnight, had a dreadful 80 and was eight shots back on two over par. Derbyshire&aposs Melissa Reid was the best of the amateurs. She shot 76 for five over par and was three ahead of English colleague, Rachel Bell, in the race for the amateur salver. With gusts reaching 35mph, 26 of the 69 players failed to break 80, but Ochoa – who has won 12 times on the LPGA Tour – had three birdies and is now firm favourite to claim her overdue first major. “It was a great day,” admitted the smiling 25-year-old from Guadalajara, who had led by two shots after round one and by one at halfway. “Before breakfast, I saw that it was blowing really hard and I knew that par would be a great score. “I actually enjoyed it. It was a mental battle and now I am very tired. But I couldn&apost be more pleased and I just hope I can play the same way tomorrow.” Ochoa made an immediate move by holing a 30-foot putt for the first of her three birdies at the third. She added two more, at the fifth and 12th as the rest of the field struggled in the wind. Ochoa has come close on a number of occasions to winning one of the big four titles. She lost to Karrie Webb in a play-off for the 2006 Kraft Nabisco Championship and she was runner-up at the US Women&aposs Open last month. “This was definitely one of the best rounds of my life,” continued the Ochoa, who comes from Guadalajara. “But I know it is not over. Anything can still happen tomorrow.” Matthew birdied the 18th from 20-feet to stay in the top 10, and she admitted: “It was just so tough. I made a bad start and never really go going.” Derbyshire&aposs Melissa Reid was the best of the amateurs. She shot 76 for five over par and was three ahead of English colleague, Rachel Bell, who also shot three over, in the race for the amateur salver. Third Round of the British Open (par 73) -6 Lorena Ochoa 67 73 73 E Linda Wessberg 74 73 72 1 Maria Hjorth 75 73 72, Jee Young Lee 72 73 75, Karine Icher 72 71 77, Annika Sorenstam 72 71 77 2 Reilley Rankin 73 74 74, Se Ri Pak 73 73 75, Eun-Hee Ji 73 71 77, Catriona Matthew 73 68 80, Wendy Ward 71 70 80 Also: 5 Karrie Webb (Australia) 77 73 74 10 Rachel Hetherington (Australia) 75 72 82