DUBAI, December 16, 2011 (AFP) - Teenager Alexis Thompson moved one step closer to a second professional win this season on Friday as she takes a one-stroke lead going into the final day of the Dubai Ladies Masters.
At the par-72 Majlis course of Emirates Golf Club, the 16-year-old history-maker was the only player in double digit red numbers on the leaderboard as she made a brave birdie on the final hole to close with a two-under par round of 70.
That gave her a three-day tally of 10-under par 206, while playing partner Sophie Gustafson of Sweden, a four-time winner of the Ladies European Tour's Order of Merit, was second at 207 following her round of 69.
South African Lee-Anne Pace, the reigning Order of Merit champion, shot the day's best round of five-under par 67 to move up to tied third place along with Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg.
Even if she wins on Saturday, Thompson will not be able to repeat her achievement of becoming the youngest ever winner on the Ladies European Tour - as she did earlier this year on the LPGA Tour by winning the Navistar LPGA Classic in Alabama.
That honour belongs to South Korean Amy Yang, who won the ANZ Ladies Masters in New Zealand in 2006 aged 16 years and 192 days.
The record for the youngest professional to win on the LET is in the name of South African Ashleigh Simon, who won the 2008 Catalonia Ladies Masters at the age of 18 years and 37 days.
Thompson did not have the best of starts, pushing her tee shot on the opening hole behind the trees and making a bogey there. But she hung on gamely, and even though she missed several possible birdie opportunities, she did make four of them and another bogey on the 15th hole, where she three-putted from 45 feet.
"I hit it pretty well. I just left a few putts out there, but you know, a lot of girls are in contention, so it's going to be a great day," said the 16-year-old from Coral Springs, Florida.
"Sure, I will be a bit nervous tomorrow...who won't be? But hopefully, I will keep my focus, take it one hole at a time and win this. If I do, it will be very cool."
Gustafson, who suffers from a speech impediment, said she expected a tough battle against someone who is less than half her age.
"Obviously, Alexis is going to be hard to beat, but I think if I can keep playing well, then I think I have a good chance," said the 38-year-old Swede, who is one of the longest hitters in the game.
"I think the only way she does remind me of myself is her power. I wasn't anywhere close to being as accurate as she is when I was 16."
Michelle Wie, who made a birdie on her last hole to finish on 71, said: "It was very frustrating, but at least I closed with a birdie. That made me feel good about myself. A lot can happen tomorrow and I just need to make some birdies early on."
Leading third-round scores in the Dubai Ladies Masters on Friday at the par-72 Majlis Course of Emirates Golf Club:
206 - Alexis Thompson (USA) 70-66-70
207 - Sophie Gustafson (SWE) 71-67-69
208 - Lee-Anne Pace (RSA) 69-72-67, Pernilla Lindberg (SWE) 72-68-68
209 - Stacy Lee Bregman (RSA) 68-73-68, Becky Morgan (WAL) 70-69-70, Julieta Granada (PAR) 68-71-70
211 - Michelle Wie (USA) 73-67-71,
212 - Alison Walshe (USA) 70-74-68, Veronica Zorzi (ITA) 74-70-68, Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 75-69-68, Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 71-72-69, Maria Verchenova (RUS) 69-74-69, Liebelei Elena Lawrence (LUX) 70-72-70, Linda Wessberg (SWE) 68-73-71, Margherita Rigon (ITA) 70-68-74
213 - Louise Stahle (SWE) 72-70-71, Florentyna Parker (ENG) 72-70-71, Diana Luna (ITA) 69-73-71, Beth Allen (USA) 69-72-72,
214 _ Nontaya Srisawang (THA) 74-69-71, Kylie Walker (SCO) 72-70-72, Sara Brown (USA) 71-71-72, Christel Boeljon (NED) 69-72-73, Lotta Wahlin (SWE) 66-74-74