Nilsmark clear with 5 shot lead

Sweden's Catrin Nilsmark took command of the McDonald's WPGA Championship of Europe with a third round 67 at Gleneagles today as England's Laura Davies rued several missed chances over the King's course.

Nilsmark finished on 13 under par - five clear of Davies who came home with a 69 that she reckoned should have been so much lower.

"It could have been a 62," said Davies, who missed a birdie chance at the 468-yard 18th where she three-putted, eventually missing from inside three feet.

"Five shots is a huge lead and that miss from inside three feet could be crucial," she said.

But she has not given up hope of gaining revenge on Nilsmark.

At the Evian Masters in France in June, Davies led the Swede by two going into the final round but ended up losing to the player who has also won the Los Angeles Open on this year's US Tour.

"If I was Catrin, I would be looking over my shoulder and I'm sure she will be doing the same," added England's former world number one.

"But it's essential that I get a great start."

Janice Moodie led the home Scottish challenge at seven behind on six under alongside the 1996 champion from Germany, Tina Fischer, and England's Alison Nicholas, who raced through the field with a course record 64.

Moodie shot a 73, but it also could have been better if she had not called a shot on herself at the fourth. Having lined up a one-foot putt, she noticed the ball move at address. She called the one shot penalty on herself, and it cost her a double-bogey seven that saw her slide down the leaderboard.

"It's never happened before and no one else saw it," said the Glasgow 26-year-old, who is seeking a first professional victory. "But I knew it had moved."

However, she gained the reward by making birdies at the next three holes, and that great run, plus her honesty, earned praise from playing partner Nilsmark.

"I didn't see the ball move but it's great that she called the penalty. It was also great that she birdied the next three holes; good things happen to good people."

Nilsmark's own magnificent score was made by a homeward run of 31.

It started when she holed from 30 feet at the 12th, and she made another four birdies from inside 10 feet at the 14th, 15th, 16th and the par five 18th where she was home with a drive and a five wood.