Delasin humbles Webb, wrests lead

This is one rare chance Dorothy Delasin wouldn’t want to squander.

Delasin, who fashioned out her two victories on the LPGA Tour both in the Giant LPGA Classic over a lesser-fancied field, now has a chance to show that she can beat even the best players in the world.

She actually did Saturday (Sunday in Manila) as Delasin humbled world No. 1 Karrie Webb of Australia in the featured twosome in the third round of the World Golf Championship, fighting back from two strokes down with a 67 and seizing a one-shot lead in the exclusive $750,000 event in Vallejo, California.

The tournament began as a battle between Swede ace Annika Sorestam and talented South Korean Se Ri Pak before turning into a resurgence of Webb, who sizzled with a 67 Friday to wrest a two-stroke lead.

But Delasin, 21, had other things in mind.

After hanging behind Webb with solid play at the Hiddenbrooke Golf Club, Delasin surged past the two-time Player of the Year with birdies on the last two holes, including a near-eagle from 30 feet on the par 5 18th.

She tapped in the putt, waved then blew a kiss to the gallery.

With a 208 aggregate and a one-shot lead over Webb (70), and Pak (67), Delasin moved in the threshold of pulling off a feat nobody would perhaps dare to expect.

The tournament invites the top 18 money winners from the LPGA Tour and a pair of players from non-US tours. Delasin is 17th in earnings on the US LPGA circuit.

Pak and Sorenstam are fighting for Player of the Year honors. Sorenstam has a tour-high six titles, one more than Pak, the Korean star who has won three of her last six starts.

Sorenstam, a three-time Player of the Year from Sweden, is in eighth place at even-par 216 after shooting a 71.

Emilee Klein had the lowest round of the day with a 65 and is fourth at five-under 211. Defending champion Juli Inkster is fifth at 212.

Maria Hjorth of Sweden, who qualified by winning the European money title, is tied for 14th at 219. Ah Ram Suh, who won the money title in South Korea, shot a 72 on Saturday but is last at 19-over 235.

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