Waugh takes lead after 66

Shani Waugh has waited through 97 LPGA tournaments to finally win her first one. If that happens, she's hoping someone back in her native Australia will find out about it.

Asked if she would rather save her shot at her first victory when the Sydney Olympics aren't dominating the world stage, she laughed and said, ``If I had a choice? I'd take it tomorrow. I may never get another chance.''

Waugh matched her career best with a 6-under-par 66 today to take lead by a shot over defending champion Annika Sorenstam heading into the final round of the New Albany Golf Classic.

The 31-year-old Waugh said she hoped if she won that her local newspaper, the West Australia Times, might get her name on the same page with that of Cathy Freeman and the rest of her country's Olympians. That is fitting because Waugh said she has been motivated by what she's seen beamed back from her homeland.

``If I were to win I'd have to thank the Australian Olympians, seeing how they've competed for the last two weeks,'' she said. ``It's inspired me.''

Waugh, whose best finish this season is a tie for sixth at the Rail Classic, stands 12 under at 204.

The only other time Waugh was in the final group on the last day of a tournament, she turned in a 76 at the 1999 Jamie Farr Toledo Classic.

``I was shocked when that round ended and I realized I only had to shoot a 72 to make the playoff,'' Waugh said. ``I went out in that tournament expecting to have to shoot 4 or 5 under to win.''

Sorenstam hit a 7-foot birdie putt on the closing hole to cap her second consecutive 68. She is seeking her sixth victory of the season in the last full-field tour event this year.

``Experience helps,'' she said. ``I've been in this situation many times and I love it. I strive to play under pressure. I think it's a lot of fun. I know how it is when you win a first time or you haven't won in a while - it gets a little nerve-wracking. It's all about controlling your nerves.''

Sorenstam came into the day ahead by a shot, but was passed on the front nine despite making the turn in 2 under.

Brandie Burton went through the first nine 6 under with a 30 to grab the lead at 11 under, then gave it away with two bad holes.

Burton, a captain's pick for next week's Solheim Cup, played the last four holes on the front side in 4 under, including an eagle at the par-5 sixth hole.

But she found the water on her wedge approach to the par-5 13th, then missed a 15-footer for bogey.

``Even though I had that little oopsy, I still felt good,'' said Burton, who also three-putted the next hole for a bogey. ``I had some great shots coming down the stretch.''

Waugh broke free from a tie for the top spot with Sorenstam by hitting a 9-iron to 4 feet for birdie at No. 13.

``She said she was nervous, but there was no trace of that,'' Sorenstam said of Waugh.

After Sorenstam hit to 10 feet below the hole on the 16th, Waugh stepped up and nearly spun a sand wedge in. Her 3-foot birdie putt put her ahead by two strokes. Sorenstam cut that lead in half on the final hole.

Burton birdied the 18th for a 68 that left her tied for third at 9 under with Beth Daniel and Scotland's Catriona Matthew.

Kelli Kuehne, Mi Hyun Kim, Heather Bowie, Donna Andrews and Lori Kane were another two strokes back.

Waugh said she knew Sorenstam desperately wanted to defend her title and that the other contenders all had something to prove. Her situation was different, she said.

``I have nothing to lose tomorrow,'' she said.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page