Lorena Ochoa Takes 6-Stroke Lead Into Women's British Open Final Round

Lorena Ochoa put herself in prime position to win her first major championship with an even-par score in the third round of the Women's British Open on Saturday. That was a fantastic score on a very difficult day, and gave Ochoa a 6-stroke lead to take into the final round.

Leaders
Lorena Ochoa, 213 (-6)
Linda Wessberg, 219 (E)
Maria Hjorth, 220 (+1)
Jee Young Lee, 220 (+1)
Karine Icher, 220 (+1)
Annika Sorenstam, 220 (+1)
Reilley Rankin, 221 (+2)
Se Ri Pak, 221 (+2)
Eun-Hee Ji, 221 (+2)
Catriona Matthew, 221 (+2)

Ochoa is the only golfer under par. On Saturday, only three golfers - Wessberg, Hjorth and Stacy Prammanasudh (+3 overall) - broke par, each shooting 1-under 72. Ochoa was the only other player not over par in the third round. Twenty-six of the 69 players in the field couldn't break 80 on Saturday.

While Ochoa is in great position, a six-shot lead certainly isn't safe. Two of the most-famous examples of collapses after entering the final round with a big lead:

• Greg Norman blew a six-shot lead at the 1996 Masters, eventually losing by five strokes to Nick Faldo. An 11-shot swing.
  
• At the 1966 U.S. Open, Arnold Palmer blew a 7-shot lead with nine holes to go, was tied by Billy Casper, then lost in a playoff.

What will it take for someone to catch Ochoa in the final round? What would Ochoa have to shoot, and what would the chaser have to post?

The field average on Saturday was 78.5. Let's guess that the field average will be a little lower on Sunday, say, 77. And let's say that Ochoa shoots that projected field average of 77.

If Ochoa shoots 77, then to catch her, Wessberg has to shoot 71. But Wessberg isn't the best candidate to put early pressure on Ochoa (especially since she'll be paired with Ochoa.

If Ochoa shoots 77, then Sorenstam has to post 70 to tie; Se Ri Pak has to post 69 to tie.

Let's look at it from the other side. If Sorenstam has an incredible day on Sunday and shoots ... let's say 68 ... then Ochoa still wins with a 74, and still ties with a 75.

It's certainly doable for someone to catch Ochoa, and given her history, it's certainly possible that Ochoa might collapse.

But she's in a mighty fine place right now.

(Photo: Getty Images courtesy of LPGA)