November 14, 1998
TEMPE, Ariz. - The U.S. Team took a demanding 18-stroke lead after the third-round of the Women's World Amateur Team Championship in Santiago, Chile, Saturday. The U.S. shot a 5-under 139 to finish the day at 16-under (416).
Former Arizona State player Kellee Booth is currently in second place with a 4-under 212, seven strokes behind her U.S. teammate Jenny Chuasiriporn (205).
Chinese Taipei is in second place at 2-over(434), followed by Germany at 3-over (435).
The U.S. is on pace to break two records at the World Amateur -- widest margin of victory and 72-hole team score. The record for widest margin of victory is 17 strokes, last done in 1982 by the U.S. team consisting of Kathy Baker, Amy Benz and Juli Inskster. The record for 72-hole team score is 569 and was set in 1994 by the U.S. (Sarah Le Brun Ingram, Carol Semple Thompson and Wendy Ward).
ASU sophomore Grace Park, who won the U.S. women's amateur championship in August, finished the third round with a 9-over 81. She is currently tied for 59th at 19-over (235). The defending champion Korean team is eighth with a 10-over 442.
The tournament continues through Sunday, with 18-holes scheduled each day. The Prince of Wales Country Club course is a par 72 (6,150 yards).
The Women's World Amateur consists of a field of 33 teams, one shy of the record in 1996. The Espirito Santo Trophy, the symbol of global excellence in women's golf, is awarded to the top team.