Webb weaves her way into pole position at Open

KARRIE Webb climbed to the top of the Handa Women's Australian Open leaderboard in Melbourne yesterday. Webb had a bogey-free three under 70 at the Commonwealth Golf Club to move to six-under overall and assume the lead from overnight leader Giulia Sergas of Italy, who shot a two over 75.

Defending champion Laura Davies of England carded a two-under third-round 71 to lie two strokes behind. Webb's fellow Australian Katherine Hull is alone in fourth one shot further back, while Chinese Taipei's Yani Tseng and South Korea's Yang Soo-jin were tied for fifth on two under with one round remaining. Stacy Lewis, Azahara Munoz Guijarro, Anna Nordqvist and Melissa Reid were tied for seventh a further stroke behind.

The Scottish contingent found themselves well off the pace, with Janice Moodie leading the tartan challenge on six over after a third-round 74. Krystle Caithness was five strokes further behind after a disappointing 79. Compatriot Lynn Kenny also shot 79 to lie 12 strokes off the lead on 231, 12 over.

The second day of the Puerto Rico Open ended without the first round being completed as bad weather hit again in Rio Grande. Rain continued to affect the tournament, and play was suspended due to darkness with nobody having advanced beyond the 11th hole. American Skip Kendall is top of the leaderboard at five under par after nine holes.