Blomqvist has record day as Bowie, Teske take lead
By Associated Press
Published August 1, 2004
SUNNINGDALE, England - Annika Sorenstam overcame two double bogeys to stay in the hunt Saturday at the Women's British Open, and Minea Blomqvist surged into contention with the lowest score ever in a major.
Sorenstam offset double-bogey 7s at Nos.1 and 14 with six birdies to shoot 2-under 70, moving to 7-under 209 through three rounds on the Old Course at Sunningdale. She was five behind co-leaders Heather Bowie and Rachel Teske, who each shot 65 and moved to 12-under 204.
Cristie Kerr had 9-under 63 and was tied for third with second-round leader Karen Stupples (70) at 11-under 205.
The biggest move of the day came from the 19-year-old Blomqvist, who made a 60-foot birdie putt on the final hole for 10-under 62.
Blomqvist had six birdies and two eagles, breaking the tournament record of 63 set by Karrie Webb in 2001 at Turnberry. She also broke Webb's course record of 63 set in 1997.
After making the cut by a stroke, Blomqvist was at 8-under 208, tied for seventh.
On a sunny, nearly windless day, Sorenstam wasn't among the players to go low. Trying to become the second player to defend titles in all four majors, she made each of her double bogeys by driving into the rough and then three-putting.
"I had two bad holes that ruined the whole day for me," she said. "I played them too aggressive, and I paid the price for those two holes. But other than that I made (six) birdies, and to still shoot under par and with two double bogeys, I've got to be pleased with that."
Blomqvist, who won two weeks ago in Hungary, started her record round with a 7-wood to 21 feet for eagle on the 485-yard first hole. Her only birdie inside 18 feet came at the 273-yard ninth, where she drove the green and two-putted.
"I made an eagle and then ... I had a feeling today that everything is going good," Blomqvist said. "And that's always an easy feeling. Yesterday I couldn't concentrate on any putt. Today it was totally different, so I really enjoyed it."
Stupples played 39 bogey-free holes before double bogey at the par-3 fourth, where her tee shot missed the green. She was the halfway leader at last week's Evian Masters before finishing fourth.
Bowie was the midway leader at the British Open last year but tied for 12th. She could have taken the outright lead Saturday but bogeyed No.18.
Her round started with eagle and included eight birdies, three bogeys and six pars.
"I was the leader last year after two rounds and didn't play well on Saturday," she said. "So Saturday is a difficult day for me. I am happy to get through today, and feel that tomorrow I will be nervous.
"But it's a great position to be in. I'm looking forward to seeing if I'm up to the challenge."
Teske, who had an eagle and five birdies, captured a share of the lead with a 10-foot birdie putt at 18.
