Lebouc takes narrow advantage

Frenchwoman Patricia Meunier Lebouc, who is almost three months pregnant, took a one-shot lead in the women's British Open third round on Saturday as Annika Sorenstam moved into contention.

Meunier Lebouc, winner of the year's opening major championship in California in March, fired a five-under-par 67, finishing at 10-under 206, while world number Sorenstam returned a blemish-free 68 to set up herself up for a last-day challenge.

American Wendy Ward, who carded a 69, was tied for second at nine under with South Korea's Pak Se Ri, who carded a matching 69 after dropping shots at the last two holes.

Sorenstam reeled off birdies at the ninth and 11th, and chipped in from 20 feet to eagle the par-five sixth, to give herself a good chance of winning the only available grand slam title that has so far eluded her.

"I'm very, very pleased with the way I played," said the Swede, who ended the day alone in fourth two off the pace. "I hit the ball as well as I ever have and it was a day when I just wanted to keep on playing.

"I'd love to complete the (career) grand slam. But I'm trying not to think too far ahead, I just want to concentrate on trying to win this title."

A couple of months after she played alongside the men at the PGA Tour's Colonial tournament, Sorenstam is still feeling the after-effects, both good and bad.

She concedes she is still very tired after a merry-go-round of demands that her trip to Texas entailed, but she is also reaping the benefits of that experience.

"Colonial, and everything that went with it, has definitely helped my game and my approach to winning tournaments," she said. "It was just everything about it -- the pressure, the attention, the preparation.

"I don't know if it will be tomorrow, next week or in five months' time, but I know it is going to help me win more golf tournaments."

This season, Sorenstam has won three times on the LPGA Tour, including her fifth major at the LPGA Championship, and once in Japan.

Meunier Lebouc mixed four birdies with an eagle, also at the long sixth, but dropped shots at the third and seventh to reach the turn in four-under 31.

Coming home, she picked up another shot at the 17th.

"I am still feeling very nauseous, but it doesn't seem to be hurting my golf," said the Florida-based 30-year-old.

"I'm not doing any practice because I need to save all my energy for the course. But it seems to be working."

Pak, champion two years ago, looked set to take the overnight lead until she hit her second shot through the green to drop a stroke at the 17th. She then found a fairway bunker at the last, where she ran up another bogey.

Ward, with three wins in eight years on tour, matched Pak's 69, collecting four birdies in the first 11 holes before dropping her only shot at the last.

Australia's Karrie Webb, the defending champion, was alone in fifth place, and also cannot be discounted after a third-round 70 left her just three off the lead.

"It's a great leaderboard," Sorenstam pointed out. "But I quite like coming from behind. Tomorrow, all eyes will be on Patricia."

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