Sunday, April 20, 2008

HUDSON IN CONTENTION

HUDSON IN CONTENTION

England's Rebecca Hudson remains in contention for the Ladies Spanish Open but Sweden's Emma Zackrisson holds a four-shot lead going into the final day after a round of one under par 71.

Zackrisson, who led by one shot at the halfway stage, finished on a six-under-par aggregate of 210 after another windy afternoon at Panoramica Golf and Country Club near Castellon.

Norway's Lill Kristin Saether and Australian Joanne Mills made the most of the better earlier conditions to post five-under-par 67s and moved into a share of second with Italy's Veronica Zorzi, who had a 74.

Hudson, tied for third overnight, had a third round of 75 and tied for fifth place with Italy's Diana Luna, Australia's Nikki Garrett and Spain's Laura Cabanillas, all on level par.

It was a rollercoaster round for Zackrisson, who in five years has never previously led a Ladies European Tour (LET) event.

The 29-year-old played the front nine immaculately, in four under par, with birdies at the first and third holes followed by an eagle three at the ninth.

Poor club selection resulted in a double bogey at the 10th, followed by three bogeys and two birdies over the last eight holes for an inward total of 39.

"It was a struggle today so I'm glad I held it together," said Zackrisson.

"The wind wasn't as strong as yesterday but I teed off later so it blew for a longer time and it was tough out there. It started to blow hard on the sixth hole.

"I haven't led a tournament for two days before so this is a new experience. I haven't been in this position before so you have to take advantage."