Defending champion Na Yeon Choi carded a three-under 68 to stay two shots clear at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia after the third round, while Australian Karrie Webb moved up to third after her own round of 68 put her at nine under for the tournament. Webb started strongly with three birdies on the front nine but two straight bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes saw her drop to seven under. However, the veteran recovered with birdies on the 13th and 18th holes to sit third. The 24-year-old Choi was two under after the front nine on Saturday but a bogey on the 10th hole gave her rivals an opening. But Choi birdied the 12th and 16th holes to end the day on 13 under overall. Choi won the 2011 title with an overall score of 15 under and remains on track for back-to-back victories at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. South Korea countrywoman Park Inbee carded the equal-best round of the third day to move into second overall. Park trails Choi by two shots with a round to play after she came home with six birdies in the last seven holes for a 65. Having started the day in a tie for 12th at five under, Park had not improved by the 11th hole but consecutive birdies followed to get the 24-year-old started. Park managed par on the 14th before pulling off a run of four birdies to finish her round and move into second on the leaderboard. Chella Choi was the other player to card a six-under 65 but having struggled during the first two rounds, the South Korean remains in a tie for 21st on three under overall. Webb leads Japan&aposs Ai Miyazato and Suzann Pettersen of Norway by a shot, while Paula Creamer, Catriona Matthew and Mika Miyazato are a further stroke back on seven under.
Author: Omnisport