HILVERSUM, Netherlands, 12 October 2003 — Denmark’s Soren Hansen takes a one-stroke lead over local favorite Maarten Lafeber into today’s Dutch Open final round, seeking his second European Tour win.

The 29-year-old overtook Dutchman Lafeber, who is looking for an overdue maiden title, with a blistering run over the back nine yesterday, collecting five birdies after the turn to card a four-under-par 66.

On 11-under 199, he heads Lafeber, who equaled the best round of the week with a 64, by a shot. Ireland’s Gary Murphy and Briton Jamie Donaldson are a further stroke back.

Another Dane, 41-year-old Steen Tinning, who has said he will retire after defending his Madrid Open title in two weeks’ time, is in a quartet three strokes off the lead.

Overnight leader Fredrik Widmark of Sweden, in his rookie year, never recovered from three opening bogeys and slid seven shots off the pace with a 75.

Flesch, Verplank Take Route

66 to Las Vegas Lead

Steve Flesch and Scott Verplank both struck six-under-par 66s to remain tied for the lead after the third round of the $4 million Las Vegas Invitational on Friday.

Flesch, who has held a share of the lead at the end of all three days, and Verplank, who joined him at the top of the leaderboard on Thursday, were on 23-under 192.

Australian Stuart Appleby, who has finished second in each of his last two tournaments, fired a nine-under 63 to move into third place on 193. Tim Herron, Scott McCarron and Woody Austin were tied for fourth on 195 in this 90-hole event.

Bill Glasson, Jerry Kelly, Tim Petrovic, Craig Barlow, former US PGA champion Mark Brooks and Australia’s Robert Allenby were tied for seventh on 197.

Among those who missed the cut, which came at nine-under, were Spain’s Sergio Garcia (eight-under), Bob Tway (five-under) and Tommy Armour III (one-over).

Sorenstam Becomes Hall of Famer

at Houston LPGA Event

Annika Sorenstam’s 15 minutes of fame came between her first and second rounds on Friday at the Samsung Championship.

Sorenstam entered the LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame by completing her first round, a 2-under-par 70 at the exclusive tournament.

“It is historic, but I need to absorb this,” she said. “Right now I’m in the middle of a tournament and I’ve got 15 minutes before I play again, so it’s tough to get all of my emotions together.”

With the completion of her round at TPC at The Woodlands, Sorenstam reached the requirements for both Halls of Fame.

She didn’t come close Thursday, which also was her 33rd birthday, as rain washed out play.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think about this,” she said. “Obviously I’m very excited that it happened and I feel great.”