Webb and Wright in mix at LPGA Classic
Australian legend Karrie Webb soared up the leaderboard and into contention during the third round of the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic at the RTF Golf Trail, Crossings Course, Mobile Alabama.
Webb, along with fellow compatriot Lindsey Wright are right in mix of the $US1.25 tournament. They will both be chasing American Stacy Lewis, who carded her second consecutive round of 67 to move to 14-under-par and two clear of good friend Brittany Lincicome (67).
The World Golf Hall of Famer posted a sensational round of eight-under-par 64 to catapult her from a tie for 56th into a tie for sixth at 9-under-par. Webb, who started on the 10th, posted five birdies in her opening nine holes to go out in 31. Another three birdies on her way home, saw her post for lowest round of the year and tie the tournament course record.
Webb was asked if she saw this kind of round coming and does she go out with number in her mind of what she wants to shoot.
“I don’t really set numbers. If you’d seen me play the last two days, you wouldn’t have thought I had a 64 in me.” She responded.
“I made birdie on 10, then I made about a six‑footer for par on 11. And what I’ve been doing of late when I make that birdie is I’ll miss that par putt, so I don’t have that continuing positive momentum. So I made that putt, and with that, then I went on to make two more birdies on the next two holes. So I really feel like that was totally the key to my round today.”
Webb will be looking to capture her 38th LPGA title on Sunday, while Wright will be looking for her first. Wright did win the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open earlier this year.
Wright, who started the day one shot behind overnight leader Lewis, was outright leader after seven holes after two birdies in her first seven holes. A three-putt on the par 4 ninth saw her slip back. The 32-year-old, couldn’t get any momentum going on the back nine, with her only birdie coming on the par 5 16th.
She posted a round of 70 and is one shot ahead of Webb and shares fourth place with South Korean Sun Young Yoo. France’s Karine Icher is outright third at 11-under-par.
It wasn’t a good day for Sarah Kemp, a 77 in the third round saw her drop down the leaderboard to one-over par and tied for 61st. Wendy Doolan was the only other Australian to make the weekend, is at one-over as well after a 74.
It will be an all Australian affair in the second last group in the final round, Webb, Wright and Yoo are paired together. Along with Webb and Wright, another two Australians are caddies in the group, former touring player Mardi Lunn caddies for Wright, while Adam Woodwood is also an Aussie and is on Yoo’s bag.
