Fairclough makes her move

Catriona Matthew suffered because of the rain

Lora Fairclough moved to within one stroke of Catriona Matthew's lead on the rain-affected third round of the Weetabix British Open at Sunningdale.

Fairclough, who teed off two hours before the leaders, produced a superb round of 67 to join Janice Moodie and Mi Hyun Kim on eight under.

Her cause was helped by the erratic Matthew, who saw much of her earlier work from the previous day undone by a round of 72.

At one stage, the Scot had led by five shots when she reached the back nine in 32 thanks to birdies at the second and seventh and an eagle at the 267-yard ninth, holing from 30 feet.

"If I make some putts tomorrow then I think I will win

  Laura Davies

But bogeys in four of the last five holes meant Matthew's overnight lead of two shots was cut in half.

The torrential rain suspended play for 35 minutes, but Matthew revealed her displeasure after being told she had to continue playing in the adverse weather conditions.

"It was a struggle over the back nine and very disappointing," she said.

"I still have a one-shot lead. I couldn't ask for a better place to be."

Australia's Karrie Webb signalled her intent with a round of 68 to move within two shots of Matthew's lead at seven-under 209.

Karrie Webb: Making a charge for the top

The world number one is aiming to capture her third British Open title. She has already won the US Open and LPGA Championship titles this year.

"She's a big threat now, she's had two good rounds in the last two days," said Matthew.

"But everyone up there is capable of shooting a low score. You have got to watch out for everyone."

Britain's Laura Davies is also in the hunt on six under after a competent round of 69.

And the veteran, who needs the title to gain a place in the women's Hall of Fame, is confident she can take victory.

"If I make some putts tomorrow then I think I will win," she predicted.

"I'm playing great, probably striking the ball as well as I have ever."

Third round scores from the Ladies European Tour, Weetabix Women's British Open. (GB unless stated):

207 C Matthew 70 65 72
208 L Fairclough 71 70 67, J Moodie 67 70 71, MH Kim (Kor) 72 65 71
209 K Webb (Aus) 74 67 68, T Johnson 70 67 72
210 L Davies 68 73 69, R Jones (USA) 70 69 71
211 K Fujii (Jpn) 71 71 69, T Hanson (USA) 72 69 70, R Hudson 71 70 70*, S R Pak (Korea) 71 70 70
212 K Kuehne (USA) 71 70 71, E Klein (USA) 71 70 71, B Morgan 73 68 71, J McGill (USA) 70 70 72, I Tinning (Den) 71 69 72
213 M Hedblom (Swe) 70 74 69, L Diaz (USA) 74 70 69, R Carriedo (Spa) 73 70 70, H Kobayashi (Jpn) 72 70 71, J Head 68 70 75
214 K Marshall 75 71 68, R Hakkarainen (Fin) 73 72 69, HW Han (Kor) 72 73 69, M Arruti (Spa) 71 73 70, K Parker (USA) 72 71 71, M McKay 70 72 72, K Robbins (USA) 69 72 73
215 LJ Hee (Kor) 75 71 69, Gloria Park (Kor) 71 73 71, V Goetze-Ackerman (USA) 75 68 72, P Meunier Lebouc (Fra) 72 70 73, Grace Park (Kor) 70 71 74, E Esterl (Ger) 71 69 75, W Doolan (Aus) 72 68 75
216 C Schreyer (USA) 73 72 71, M Hjorth (Swe) 72 73 71, S Cavalleri (Ita) 71 73 72, P Sinn (Kor) 74 70 72, B Burton (USA) 72 71 73, S Pettersen (Nor) 78 64 74
217 D Barnard 73 73 71, T Barrett 77 69 71, Y Ping Lin (Tpe) 72 73 72, J Morley 74 71 72, Dina Ammaccapane (USA) 72 71 74, B Iverson (USA) 71 72 74, Danielle Ammaccapane (USA) 75 68 74
218 M Baena (Col) 72 74 72, L Hed (Swe) 71 75 72, S Strudwick 74 71 73, K Booth (USA) 72 73 73, K Icher (Fra) 71 74 73, A Sorenstam (Swe) 70 74 74, M Monnet (Fra) 70 72 76, H Alfredsson (Swe) 71 69 78
219 L Maritz (Rsa) 74 72 73, N Moult 74 71 74, L Neumann (Swe) 73 71 75
220 L Kane (Can) 70 75 75, C Duffy 73 71 76, C Harada (Jpn) 74 70 76
221 J Lidback (Per) 72 73 76, C Koch (Swe) 73 72 76
222 J Mills (Aus) 75 70 77, K Taylor 72 73 77, S Gustafson 74 70 78
224 D Delasin (USA) 71 69 84
226 J Van Hagen (Ned) 75 70 81