Se-Ri Chases the Leader One Shot Behind, ``Let`s Go Sixth Win``

``Nobody can guarantee the destination of the victory trophy.``

Just like the star wars, the fierce close contest has continued in the third round of the 2001 Samsung World Championship (purse 750,000 dollars) at the Hiddenbrook GC (par 72), Vallejo, California.

Shaking off the worries about the neck injury, Pak Se-Ri (Samsung Electronics) shot the bogeyless third round with 5 birdies to record a three-round 7 under-par-209, one shot behind the outright leader Dorothy Delasin (USA).

Pak will play in the champion group with Delasin in the final round, establishing the foothold to exceed Annika Sorenstam in the contest for the wins and season money titles. Annika Sorenstam (Sweden) ranked in the 8th place with 209 shots.

However, it would be not that easy for Pak to win her second consecutive win and the sixth season win.

First of all, second-year LPGA golfer Delasin has shown the rising tendency to be only player who recorded under par for three straight rounds among 20 participants.

Delasin had won a come-from-behind over Pak with outstanding final round of 7 under-par-65 in the Giant Eagle Classic in July this year, and she led one shot ahead Pak with daunting play in the second round of this tournament.

In particular, while Pak and Karrie Webb (Australia) have shown the unstable performance recording double bogey and triple bogey respectively, Delasin has noticeably maintained a good sense of short game, rounding without double and triple bogeys.

Moreover, tying for the second place with Pak, Karrie Webb is all-time winner candidate, who captured 9 birdies in the second round even though she played a relatively poor third round.

Who would be a winner of $157,000 prize depends upon who can play more creative golf against the whimsical gusting winds, that have made the players extremely difficult to select a club every round.

ysahn@donga.com