New clubs Wright decision for Lindsey

BY Liz White | ALPG Tour | 2008 Women's Australian Open | Round Three | 02 Feb 2008

New clubs in the bag have done no harm for Albury’s Lindsey Wright, who will take a one shot lead over Karrie Webb and Korea’s Ji_Yai Shin heading into the final round of the MFS Women’s Australian Open tomorrow.

Finishing the day at three under 216, Wright revealed she has spent the past few months based in Dallas with her coach Peter Murphy tinkering with different clubs to perfect her game.

“I spent an extra six weeks more than normal working on my game so that was one of the best decisions I think I made actually,” she said.

The 28-year-old was unhappy with her fairway woods and described her wedge play as “terrible.”

“I found at the end of last year, throughout my set it was inconsistent,” she said.

“My fairway woods were stressing me out so I am using hybrids now and I am really pleased, hopefully it continues.”

Wright has shown for some time that her game is slowly coming together. Last May she finished fourth in the second LPGA Major of the year, the McDonald’s LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock Maryland. In July, she scored an upset 3/2 victory over Annika Sorenstam in the HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship in New Rochelle, New York.

After three years on the US LPGA she believes she is close for her breakthrough victory.

“I think I proved it a little bit today in myself anyway. Generally I kind of come into the weekend and I have been so tense after the first two days that I am worn out mentally, whereas today I felt really relaxed.”

Wright also likes the fact that although she is Australia’s number two ranked player, very little is known about her.

“I like to fly under the radar. I would not want all the attention that the other players get. It really doesn’t bother me.”

For defending champ, Karrie Webb it was another tough day at the office.

A disastrous triple bogey on the 320m par four fourth hole of the day saw the Queenslander slip down the leader board. She then clawed her way back into a share of the lead at three under but bogeyed the last to finish on two under 217.

“It’s just three days of grinding away. We have had to grind our way on that golf course. Apart from a few hiccups today I hit some quality shots today, but I paid the penalty today for the ones that I missed,” she said.

“The golf course makes you play up and down. It is a tough test and mentally having to be ‘on’ 100 per cent for every shot otherwise you pay a penalty for it not being a 100 per cent shot, you know it’s tough.”

Only five players are under par for three rounds, including Britain’s Melissa Reid who had the round of the day a four under 69, with Japan’s Yuki Sakurai and Scotland’s Lynn Kenny.

A late entrant after receiving an invite just a week ago, Reid went on a hot and cold streak of three birdies then two bogeys followed by three more consecutive birdies.

“Today I only hit a couple of bad shots which cost me a couple of bogeys which you are going to have in a round,” she said.

“I was actually quite happy with my play I don’t usually get on a consecutive birdie run so it was quite nice to do that today twice.”

She now stands at one under and is tied fourth with West Australian amateur Kristie Smith at one under.

The overnight leader, Smith had a nervy day out on the course. After one triple bogey, four bogeys and three birdies, the 19-year-old posted a four over round of 77 to finish on one under. She is still a chance to become the first amateur to win the title, only two shots off the lead.

With just six shots separating the top 28 players, the stage is set for an exciting finale. Lindsey Wright is not spooked that she is the one that everyone will be chasing.

“It’s a nice thought but there are still 18 tough holes to play tomorrow. I’d like to hit more greens tomorrow and make some putts.”

While fans would love to see Wright win her first title no one is prepared to right Webb off, least of all Webb herself.

“I just think there are players up there that haven’t won the Australian Open and I have and I do have experience at winning golf tournaments. I don’t know if that necessarily counts for too much but I know that I do have a great chance to win.”