Masson leads Women's British Open

German Caroline Masson will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Women's British Open yesterday with defending champion and world No 1 Yani Tseng lurking as her nearest challenger. Halfway leader Masson fired a 68 to reach 15-under — a 54-hole Championship record — but Taiwan's Tseng recorded a best of day 66, which included a 70-foot putt for an eagle three at the 14th. Briton Catriona Matthew (68), the 2009 champion, and South Korea's Park Inbee (73), the 2008 US Women's Open Champion, share third place on nine under par. On a day when tricky pin positions and a stiff breeze saw a number of players fall out of contention, 22-year-old Masson grew in strength. She did three-putt the opening hole for bogey but then picked up six birdies before dropping another shot at the 18th. "I really enjoyed it today but I still can't really believe it," said Masson, who has had seven top 10 finishes in two years on the Ladies' European Tour. "I came here this week maybe hoping to make the top 20, but with no real expectations of winning. "But now I'm excited. I am so looking forward to playing with Yani. She is the best player in the world and I know I will learn a lot from her." Tseng, who won at Royal Birkdale last year, made her move from the turn. She birdied the tenth, 11 and 13th before rolling home the monster eagle putt. She then made another birdie at the long 17th to be home in 30. "I played awesome," said the 22-year-old four-time major winner.