Golf: Cho moves into contention in ANZ Ladies Masters

Cecilia Cho of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand amateur champion Cecilia Cho fired a superb four-under par 68 to move into the top 10 going in to the final round of the Australian Ladies Masters on the Gold Coast today.

Cho, 16, jumped to 12-under par in an eight-way share of seventh place at Royal Pines Resort.

The Auckland teenager said she let her nerves get the better of her early in the round but after settling she reeled off four birdies in the final 10 holes.

"I don't know why I was so nervous today. But I felt really nervous and it affected my ball striking and putting early on," she said.

"I knew I had to relax so I took some deep breaths, drank plenty of water and just tried to enjoy the scenery here.

"I made a good birdie on the ninth and that really settled me and I started to hit the ball really well and made some putts in the last nine holes."

Last week's Australian Open winner Yani Tseng (Taiwan) turned up the heat with a remarkable nine-under 63 to move to 20-under par with a three shot lead over playing partner Stacy Lewis (USA) who managed a five-under 67.

American Ryann O'Toole also shot 67 to be in third place on 15-under, a shot ahead of South Africa's Ashleigh Simon who managed a 68.

Brilliant Spanish rookie Belen Mozo, one of the young new stars who will compete at the Pegasus New Zealand Open next week, fired an eight-under 64 to move to 13-under, sharing fifth place with American Jennifer Song.

Cho shares seventh place with seven other players including LPGA stars Jennifer Rosales (Philippines) and Christina Kim (USA) and leading Australian Nikki Campbell.

The New Zealander said she has enjoyed the slower greens on the Gold Coast this week, affected by the recent heavy rains.

"I did not putt very well in the Australian Open although my ball striking was good. But I have enjoyed the greens here and they have not been as difficult to read.

"Tomorrow I am just going to make sure I talk to my caddy a lot and try to just enjoy it and do my best. I am learning so much playing with the professionals and watching players like Yani (Tseng) on the range."

Cho has a five shot lead in the battle for leading amateur going into the final round.

Wellington professional Sarah Nicholson, the only other New Zealander to make the cut, shot a one-under 71 today to be on seven-under and a share of 48th.

Leading scores, round 3, par 72:

196 Yani Tseng (TAI) 67 66 63

199 Stacy Lewis (USA) 67 65 67

201 Ryann O'Toole (USA) 68 66 67

202 Ashleigh Simon (RSA) 68 66 68

203 Belen Mozo (ESP) 68 71 64, Jennifer Song (USA) 70 66 67

204 Jennifer Rosales (PHI)70 68 66, Christina Kim (USA)69 69 66, Reilly Rankin (USA)68 69 67, Cecilia Cho (NZL)69 67 68, Nikki Campbell (AUS)68 67 69, Hannah Jun (USA)69 66 69, Shin-Ae Ahn (KOR) 67 67 70, Maria Hernandez (ESP) 66 68 70

Also:

209 Sarah Nicholson (NZL) 69 69 71

- NZPA