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Keeping the faith Daniel jumps into lead at Evian Masters
Updated: Wednesday June 13, 2001 3:37 PM
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (Reuters) -- Beth Daniel claimed she had forgotten when she last won an event after taking the lead in the first round of the Evian Masters tournament on Wednesday. But the American, who shot a 5-under-par 67 to lead by one stroke from compatriot Wendy Ward and Taiwan's Yu Ping Lin, said she has far from given up hope of ending the long drought. It was back in 1995, playing alongside Davis Love III in the JC Penney Classic, that the 44-year-old claimed the last of her 32 LPGA titles and it is 10 years since she won as an individual. "But I wouldn't still be out here if I didn't think I could win again," said Daniel, who has had two third places in the last four tournaments. "Nowadays, I'm working harder than ever and, mentally, I'm a much better player. But, physically, I'm miles worse." A spectacular finish with a 15-foot birdie at the short 17th followed by an eagle from 35 feet after a 4-iron second at the 425-yard 18th earned Daniel her one-shot advantage. For Lin, a seven-birdie round was a remarkable turnaround in fortune. She was threatened with deportation at Geneva airport when she arrived from America without a visa on Monday. But while the Swiss authorities were ready to send her packing, a French official took pity on Taiwan's No. 1 woman professional and granted her entry to France. "I only knew I was in the event five days before, and I thought the LPGA had sorted out the visa," said Lin, who celebrated her 22nd birthday last week.
Sweden's Annika Sorenstam, who eagled the seventh, stayed
well in contention on 69, while Australian Karrie Webb, a
runaway eight shot winner of the U.S. Open ten days ago, was two
strokes further back.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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