Hall of Famer
Beth Daniel came close to retiring last season, having not won since the 1995
Ping Welch's of Boston.
But Daniel said some soul-searching helped her return toward the top of the LPGA
Tour this year and she was in sole possession of the lead today after three rounds
of the $725,000 LPGA First Union Betsy King Classic.
Daniel, seeking her 33rd career win, shot a 2-under 70 with three birdies and
one bogey. She was at 7-under 209 at the 6,085-yard Berkleigh Country Club course.
The 42-year-old was co-leader
after the third round of this event a year ago before finishing third.
"I really didn't want to
go out playing the way I was," Daniel said. "I want to win again. I'd be proud
of it, too, because the competition is so great out here now. It's tougher than
it's ever been."
Wendy Doolan of Australia matched the tournament record with a 65 Saturday and
moved into a tie for second with Helen Dobson, who had a 69, and Mi Hyun Kim,
who had a 70.
Doolan,
who has never won on the LPGA Tour, began the day at 1 over but had six birdies
over the final eight holes to match the tournament record shared by Laura Davies,
Dale Eggeling and Kelly Robbins.
"The
holes were looking pretty big coming in," Doolan said. "That's the round of my
life and the biggest move I've ever made."
Doolan plans to play aggressively and predicted she would shoot another 65 in
the final round.
"I'm
going to attack. No one should ever be playing for second place," she said.
Hall of Famer Betsy King,
the host of the tournament, made some adjustments in her putting stroke and responded
with a 67 to move within two shots of Daniel, her former teammate at Clemson.
"Beth is going to be tough
to beat. She's been there before and knows what to do," King said.
Joanne Morley, who rolled in five consecutive birdies on the back side, and Jill
McGill, who had eight birdies and three bogeys, each posted a 67 and were tied
with King at 211.
"I'm
pretty excited. I've been on tour for four years and this is the first time I've
ever sniffed the lead," McGill said.
Second-round co-leaders Marisa Baena and Jenny Lidback both shot 74s to drop back
to 212, tied with Susie Redman, who had a 71, and Lisa Kiggens, who had a 69.
Because of a forecast for
rain Sunday, with the heaviest showers expected in the afternoon, starting times
were adjusted to begin play two hours early at 8 a.m.
