Golf: Teenagers on top at women's US Open

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE - American amateurs Michelle Wie, 15, and Morgan Pressel, 17, shared the lead with Britain's Karen Stupples after the third round of the women's US Open championship in Colorado yesterday.

World number one Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, bidding for the third leg of a possible Grand Slam of four majors in one season, was five shots back after struggling to a 73 for 219, six over.

Wie, runner-up to Sorenstam at the LPGA Championship two weeks ago, had a 72 for a one-over aggregate of 214. The Hawaiian was joined on that mark by Pressel (70) and British Open champion Stupples (69). No teenager has won a women's major.

Another US teenager, 18-year-old rookie professional Paula Creamer, shared fourth spot on 215 with South Koreans Kim Birdie and Jo Young.

Frenchwoman Catherine Lacoste became the only amateur to win this title in 1967, although American Jenny Chuasiriporn came close in 1998 when she lost a 20-hole play-off to South Korea's Pak Se Ri, the youngest winner to date at 20 years nine months.

The youngest winner of a women's major was Canada's Sandra Post, who was aged 20 years 19 days when she captured the 1968 LPGA Championship.

"I definitely think I can win," said Wie. "Today I felt I played much better than the last two days and I think I'll need to shoot under par tomorrow."

- REUTERS