LEMONT, Illinois, 7 July 2003 — Tiger Woods goes into final round of the 100th Western Open ideally placed to secure his 38th PGA Tour title and the perfect sign-off before this month’s British Open.

The world number one, who has won three times in nine US starts this year, fired a seven-under-par 65 at Coghill Golf and Country Club’s Dubsdread course to move six strokes clear of the field.

Woods, whose next tournament outing will be at the British Open from July 17-20, has won 28 times out of 30 on the PGA Tour when he has held the 54-hole lead, two of those wins coming here at the 1997 and 1999 Western Opens.

“I have the lead,” Woods told reporters. “It’s not like I have to go out there and shoot 63 and make a comeback in order to win a championship. I’m winning the tournament.

“When you have success by being in that same position, it just breeds more confidence. Winning breeds winning.

“I’ve always enjoyed being ahead, and on top of that, if you’re ahead and you go out there and shoot the same score, you automatically win,” added the 27-year-old American.

Australia’s Robert Allenby carded a third-round 68 to join Cliff Kresge (69) in a tie for second place on 204, with 2002 US PGA champion Rich Beem (65) a further stroke back in fourth. However the chasing pack know the tournament is virtually a done deal for Woods.

Lunke Chasing Maiden Tour

Win at US Women’s Open

In Portland, Oregon, American Hilary Lunke, who has never finished higher than 15th in two years as a professional, took a one-shot lead after the third round of the $3.1 million US Women’s Open at Pumpkin Ridge on Saturday. The 24-year-old fired a three-under 68 for a total of 208, five below par. Fellow countrywoman Angela Stanford, 25, who won her first LPGA title in Atlantic City last week, was in second place after birdying the last to record a 69. World number one Annika Sorenstam, the US Open champion in 1995 and 1996, climbed into a share of third place after posting a best-of-the-day 67.

The Swede, who won her fifth major last month (the LPGA Championship), was on 211 along with South Korean pair Jang Jeong and amateur Aree Song, 17, and Mhairi McKay of Britain.

McKay was four strokes clear overnight but struggled to a 75. Donna Andrews of the US was alone in seventh place on 213.

Lunke totaled six birdies on Saturday but it was Sorenstam who had a warning for the restSong, who finished 10th in a women’s major as a 13-year-old in 2000, stayed in contention with a 68.

Michelle Wie, the 13-year-old amateur, recorded a 76 for nine-over 222 and was tied for 39th.

Price Hits the K Club Jackpot

In Dublin, Phillip Price of Wales picked up the biggest pay check of his career in winning the European Open at the K Club in county Kildare yesterday.

One of the unheralded stars of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team last year shot a final round 70 to beat Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth and Mark McNulty of Zimbabwe by one shot.

But Price was made to work for his near half-a-million euro check, by far and away his biggest payday since he turned professional in 1989. He was three ahead with five to play but then produced two bogeys to leave him approaching the final hole tied on 15 under and facing a playoff, but a birdie at the last clinched him victory.

His 70 left him with a 16 under par total of 272. Last year at The Belfry when ranked a lowly 115th he famously defeated world number two Phil Mickelson on the final day to secure Europe’s victory over the United States.