Teenagers in contention

Teenagers Aree Song and Michelle Wie both set their sights on becoming the youngest winner of an LPGA Tour event after the third round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship on Saturday.

Song, 17, who was 10th on her debut in the first women's major of the season in 2000, fired five birdies in a three-under-par 69 to join fellow South Korean Grace Park (67) at the top of the leaderboard on 208, eight under.

Another South Korean, Lee Jung-Yeon, was one stroke adrift. Hawaiian schoolgirl Wie shot a 69 to share fourth place on 210 with former world number one Karrie Webb of Australia at Mission Hills Country Club.

Wie, 14, burst to fame when she returned a 66 in the third round here last year and went on to finish joint ninth.

"I've learned a lot and grown up a lot in the last year," the six-foot tall teenager told reporters. "This time I think I'll be able to handle the pressure much better."

This is Song's fifth appearance here and her seventh major, but her first as a professional.

"I haven't really thought about the money," she said. "Hey, yes, it will be nice to get a cheque but I don't think that will mean extra pressure.

"I've been preparing for this for a long time. I'm just really excited about tomorrow. I've got a lot of great memories from coming here and I absolutely love it and feel very comfortable."

Park, a four-times tour winner, seems almost a veteran at the age of 25. Ranked third on the LPGA Tour in 2003, she is ready to step up and win her first major.

She came close last year, losing to world number one Annika Sorenstam of Sweden in a play-off for the LPGA Championship.

In ideal scoring conditions, Park had a faultless five-birdie round, including four in a row from the seventh.

"Tomorrow, I'm going to go out and attack the course," she said. "I feel I'm playing really well."

Lee, 25, had a two-stroke lead with five holes to play but hit her tee shot into water at the short 14th and eventually slipped back with a 71.

Webb also carded a 71 and was hoping her experience of winning six majors would be a telling factor on Sunday.

"I'm delighted I'm still right in the hunt and I'll certainly be able to draw on my experience tomorrow," said the 29-year-old.

Sorenstam had her best round of the championship, a 69, but was eight strokes off the lead and her dream of winning all four majors in one season looks to have been scuppered at the first hurdle.

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