May 21, 1999

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Duke shot a 14-over 298 today and took an eight-shot lead over Arizona State and Georgia entering the final round of the NCAA Women's Golf Championships.

The Blue Devils stood at 43 over for three rounds at the Tulsa Country Club.

Arizona had the day's low total, 292, and was another shot back in fourth.

In the individual competition, Arizona State's Grace Park eagled the par-5 8th hole, her 17th of the day, for a 1-under 70.

She is 1 under for the tournament, one shot ahead of Duke freshman Candy Hannemann, who also had a 70 Friday. Georgia junior Shauna Estes equaled the tournament's low round with a 69 and is four shots behind Park. Those three will play together Saturday in the final group.

In addition to Park, three other Arizona State golfers had their best rounds of the tournament Friday. Tui Selvaratnam had a 74, while Jody Niemann and Caroline Laurens had 75s.

Arizona got 72s from Christina Monteiro and Jenna Daniels and 74s from Krissie Register and Cristina Baena.

Arizona owns the best final-round average score in the country (291) and has come from behind in the final round in three of its four victories this season. It overcame a six-shot Duke lead to win by eight strokes in its own tournament and is confident that can be repeated.

"That's a reflection of a lot of heart and desire and an ability to come through in the clutch," Arizona coach Todd McCorkle said. "We've done it all year on the last day."

Estes and Hannemann had quite a duel Friday. Estes had six birdies over the first 10 holes and was 4 under before making bogeys at 13 and 18. Hannemann had six birdies and five bogeys.

"It was great, really exciting," Hannemann said. "She was making birdies and I was making birdies. I like that atmosphere. Watching someone else playing well definitely helped me."

Duke was bolstered by a return to form of top-ranked Beth Bauer, who had a 73 after an 82 on Thursday. Jenny Chuasiriporn was wild off the tee and struggled to a 77. With her dream of winning the individual title out of reach, the runner-up in last year's U.S. Women's Open has turned all her focus on the team title.

"It means everything to me right now," she said. "I can't tell you how much I want this, but I'm still trying to keep it in perspective. I feel good about tomorrow. I had drifted away from my fundamentals and that made me a little wild off the tee."

Defending champion Jenifer Rosales of Southern California was fourth after a 75 Friday.