Laura Davies pulled away from the rest of the field at the Star Bank LPGA Classic on Saturday, putting herself in position to earn a $100,000 bonus.
Davies shot a 6-under-par 66 and was at 134 for 36 holes, three strokes ahead of Brandie Burton and Beth Daniel.The winner's share of the $550,000 purse is $82,500, but tournament organizers said the winner will get an extra $100,000 if she has won another LPGA Tour event this year. Davies has won three tournaments in 1996.
Burton also shot a 66 Saturday and Daniel had a 68. Three other golfers - Susan Veasey, Kelly Robbins and first-round leader Pat Hurst - were at 138.
Of those closest to Davies, only Robbins has also won a tournament this year.
Davies said she felt confident, but was not promising victory in today's final round at the 6,331-yard Country Club of the North in suburban Beavercreek.
"A three-shot lead can go in the first hour," she said. "The thing to do is open with a couple of birdies on the first three holes. Nine times out of 10, that will kill the rest of the field."
Davies began the second round one stroke off Hurst's lead. She had five birdies and eagled No. 11.
She was 11 under for the tournament, but missed a 21/2-foot par putt on 18.
"It was a good putt," Davies said. "It just bobbled off line."
Davies, who is second to Karrie Webb in earnings this year, will pass Webb in that department with a victory. Webb is not playing this week and Davies, who has won $635,287 so far, is less than $20,000 behind.