Webb surges ahead in the Nabisco Championship

Australia's Karrie Webb staged a runaway in the first Major of the women's season with a third round five under par 67 in the Nabisco Championship at Palm Springs, California on Saturday.

On 12 under par 204, the world number one, who has had four wins and a second in an amazing start to the year, finished eight shots ahead of defending champion Dottie Pepper and 10 ahead of the next trio that included the amazing 13-year-old Thai twin, Aree Song Wongluekiet.

Playing alongside Scotland's Janice Moodie - who birdied the first five holes for a 70 to lead the European challenge in joint ninth place on level par 216 - the amazing young amateur invitee fired a flawless 68.

She had three birdies in the front nine from close range - she almost holed a wedge shot for an eagle three at the 508 yard ninth - and made another from three feet at the 12th.

Not even Webb managed a round without a bogey.

"I had good fun and wasn't too nervous. I try not to worry too much," said the composed teenager, whose gallery had included her sister Naree who had missed the cut.

Moodie, naturally, was highly impressed. "She's a great young player," said the 26-year-old. "She's very strong both physically and mentally, but I just hope the twins aren't rushed into turning professional."

While Aree hit form, Trish Johnson, who had been fifth overnight, slipped back with a 78 to drop out of contention on five over 221.

Webb, three ahead overnight, was never seriously challenged.

She was four ahead by the time she reached the turn in 34 and three birdies in a row from the 14th set her on course to add this major to the du Maurier Classic she won last August.

As for Pepper, she hurt her back when she slipped on the range. After shooting a 72 she immediately headed to the fitness trailer for treatment.

Scores from the third round of the $1.25 million 2000 Nabisco Championship, played on the 6,520-yard par-72 Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills Country Club in Ranco Mirage, California (a) denotes amateur:

Karrie Webb 67-70-67-204 Dottie Pepper 68-72-72-212 (a) Aree Song Wongluekiet 75-71-68-214 Pat Hurst 72-72-70-214 Chris Johnson 73-68-73-214 Michele Redman 73-73-69-215 Wendy Doolan 73-73-69-215 Lorie Kane 71-71-73-215 Janice Moodie 74-72-70-216 Cathy Johnston-Forbes 74-71-71-216 Kim Saiki 72-77-68-217 Barb Mucha 77-71-70-218 Meg Mallon 75-70-73-218 Carin Koch 79-70-70-219 Fumiko Muraguchi 78-71-70-219 Nancy Scranton 78-70-71-219 Helen Dobson 73-74-72-219 Rosie Jones 74-71-74-219 Alison Nicholas 71-74-74-219 Charlotta Sorenstam 75-75-70-220 Brandie Burton 74-75-71-220 Kristi Albers 77-71-72-220 Juli Inkster 76-71-73-220 Nanci Bowen 75-72-73-220 Barb Whitehead 70-76-74-220 Beth Daniel 70-75-75-220

Selected Others

Kelly Robbins 79-69-73-221 Annika Sorenstam 76-72-73-221 Sherri Steinhauer 73-71-77-221 Se Ri Pak 73-71-77-221 Trish Johnson 72-71-78-221 Patty Sheehan 74-75-73-222 Catriona Matthew 72-77-73-222 Rachel Hetherington 69-78-75-222 Nancy Lopez 78-72-73-223 Dawn Coe-Jones 76-72-75-223 Sherri Turner 77-70-76-223 Laura Davies 71-74-78-223 Tammie Green 74-76-74-224 Akiko Fukushima 74-76-74-224 Liselotte Neumann 75-74-75-224 Catrin Nilsmark 77-71-76-224 Jane Geddes 74-72-78-224 Tina Barrett 73-72-79-224 Kathryn Marshall 77-74-74-225 Cindy McCurdy 75-74-76-225 Becky Iverson 75-74-76-225 Helen Alfredsson 72-77-77-226