EVIAN, France -- Juli Inkster shot a course-record
8-under-par 64 Friday and moved into a tie for the lead with Rosie
Jones after three rounds of the Evian Masters.
Inkster opened with an eagle on the par-4 first, and finished
with seven birdies and a bogey to move to 14-under 202.
Jones, who held a one-stroke lead after two rounds, had a 67.
Defending champion Annika Sorenstam shot a 67, moving from 34th
place into a tie for 18th, 10 strokes behind the leaders.
South Korea's Hee-Won Han, coming off a victory in last week's
Big Apple Classic, shot an LPGA career-low 65 and was two shots off
the pace.
Sweden's Sophie Gustafson was fourth after a third-round 67, and
Mexican rookie Lorena Ochoa was fifth at 207 after a 71.
South Korea's Se Ri Pak (66), Karrie Webb (68) and Janice Moodie
(69) were tied at 208.
Inkster holed a wedge from 67 yards at No. 1. Her only bogey
came at the fifth where she missed an 8-foot par putt.
Inkster was cautiously optimistic about her chances of winning
the tournament.
''There are lots of good players who can come through with
another 64 and take it away from me,'' Inkster said.
Jones, whose mother had a stroke six weeks ago, is coming off a
two-week break. She finished with six birdies and one bogey.
''I'm having a hard time,'' Jones said. ''That's why I've had an
abbreviated schedule. But in the hospital, on the Golf Channel, she
saw me playing in the Evian and she made a big sound to tell
people.''
Sorenstam changed putters and rolled in six birdies in a round
of 67.
''Obviously I'm a bit more pleased,'' Sorenstam said. ''I hit
better shots and got the ball closer, which was key today.''
Sorenstam's husband, David Escher, took over her bag when her
regular caddie, Terry McNamara, was sidelined with food-poisoning.
''I had to do my own yardages which isn't normal,'' Sorenstam
said. ''David didn't do the preparation.''
Sorenstam wasn't counting out a run at the leaders in the final
round.
''I felt I'd have a chance if I got to six-under today,'' she
said. ''But it's going to be tough. The leaders are playing great
golf.''