Golf: Brooky within sight of healthy payout

HUTCHINSON - New Zealander Lynette Brooky has the chance of a sizeable pay cheque going into today's final round of the US$3 million ($6.18 million) US Women's Open.

Brooky carded a one-under 69 yesterday at the Prairie Dunes Country Club in Kansas to sit in a share of sixth place, just seven shots behind the leader, world No 1 Annika Sorenstam.

Sorenstam also shot 69 to move two shots clear of her closest challengers. The 31-year-old Swede, bidding to win the title for the third time, was the only player in the field below par as she returned a two-under total of 208. Americans Juli Inkster, who shot 71, and Jill McGill, with a 69, share second on 210.

Australian Shani Waugh, with a 71, was a further stroke adrift on 211. Brooky was at 215, alongside Canadian Lorie Kane and Swede Carin Koch.

Sorenstam compiled three birdies as she stepped up her attempt to clinch her eighth worldwide victory this year.

Smiling, relaxed and reflecting the attitude of someone in total control of her game, she was delighted with her performance, but also struck a note of caution.

"I did a lot of things right out there," she said.

"But this is a very tough golf course and lots of things can happen tomorrow.

"I'm where I want to be at this stage."

If Sorenstam does lift the title, it will continue a dazzling run this season. Apart from her seven wins, she has only once been outside the top seven in 13 starts.

She also won on her previous two outings, at the Evian Masters in France and the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Atlantic City.

Former champions Laura Davies of Britain and South Korean Pak Se Ri produced the day's best rounds with matching 68s. Davies was tied for 10th place on 216. Pak, who only just survived the halfway cut, was on 217.

* Australian Robert Allenby cranked up his game several notches during the middle of the third round to take a two-shot lead at the $US4 million ($8.25 million) Western Open at Lemont, Illinois, yesterday.

Allenby was one-under for the first seven holes, but then made four birdies and an eagle over the next nine on his way to a seven-under-par round of 65 and a 15-under total of 201.

Neal Lancaster, who shot a 67, was second on 203, with Jerry Kelly and Bob Estes sharing third place on 204. Davis Love III and second-round leader John Cook were another shot back.

Zimbabwean Nick Price made one of the biggest moves of the day when his six-under 66 took him from a tie for 35th place to a tie for 12th.

The three New Zealanders who made the cut are well down the field. Craig Perks and Grant Waite, after rounds of 72 and 73 respectively, are at 215 and Frank Nobilo blew out with a 78 to be on 219.

* Sir Bob Charles had a share of the lead going into the final round of the Welsh Seniors Open after shooting a second-round 67 on the par-69 Royal St Davids Course yesterday.

He is in a three-way tie for the lead with Englishman Nick Job and Japanese Seiji Ebihara at one under.

- AGENCIES