Evian Masters: Sorenstam leads going into final round

Evian: Annika Sorenstam holds a three-shot lead following an impressive seven-under-par 65 in a storm-delayed third round of the Evian Masters in Evian, France on Friday. Overnight leader Karen Stupples of England lies second, three shots behind with Mexico's Lorena Ochoa in third place a further shot adrift. However a number of players will no doubt maintain they still have a chance to take the title, including Australian Wendy Doolan, who shot a three-under-par 69 on Friday to end the day in fourth place. One place above her, Mexico's Lorena Ochoa is having a good time in France. Ochoa, who opened her LPGA victory account this year, had four birdies on the back-nine to move into contention with a five-under-par round. The Mexican lies four shots behind leader Sorenstam who had a brilliant day. Sorenstam vaulted into a three-shot lead with a seven-under-par third round 65. The world number one produced seven birdies to move above overnight leader Karen Stupples. Sorenstam will be aiming for her fifth victory of the season on Saturday. The Swede is also looking for her third Evian title in five years. England's Laura Davies, who sat alongside Sorenstam overnight, had her hopes of a third win suffer a setback with a 72 for fifth place on nine under. She had a couple of birdies, but dropped a shot at the sixth and then three-putted and ran up a six at the long 18th. Davies' compatriot Stupples, who made four birdies and a bogey, crafted a nine metre chip-in to birdie the 17th then birdied the last to move to 13-under and maintain contact with Sorenstam. Michelle Wie, plagued by the same putting problems that spoilt her second round on Thursday, carded four bogeys in five holes from the second, then had twelve pars for a 76. Defending champion Juli Inkster shot a five-under-par 67 for a share of 11th place at to tie 11th at six-under. (AP)