Golf: Johnson goes gunning for glory with birdie charge

TRISH JOHNSON made birdies at the last three holes for a round of 69 and a share of the lead in yesterday's third round of the pounds 500,000 Evian Masters in France.

The 32-year-old, who has spent recent months following Arsenal as they reached their Double triumph, finished on a seven under par 209.

She is joined by Australia's Shani Waugh, who posted a 68, with the duo two ahead of Britain's US Open Champion, Alison Nicholas, South Africa's Laurette Maritz and Sweden's Carin Koch and Maria Hjorth.

Laura Davies, the 1995 and 1996 winner, slipped down the field with a 74 and goes into the final round six shots off the lead. "I had a really frustrating day," she said. "But if I can get a charge going I'm still in with a shout."

Johnson has had a dreadful run in America this year, and is well adrift at 126 on the money-list. "It's been difficult to think about anything else but Arsenal over the past few months," she said with passion. "Football means so much to me. But it's also because I am back playing in Europe. This feels like the start of the season for me."

Her third round did not start with much promise as she accidentally moved her ball with her putter on a six inch putt at the second to drop a shot.

She managed to get back on track with a birdie at the next, before her grandstand finish with the birdies, all from inside six feet, over the closing holes.

Waugh has also had a disappointing run in America, but came home in 32 to raise hopes of adding to her only European win when in Portugal in 1996. She has a particular incentive. "I'd like to win for my English caddie, Michael Seaborn," she said. "It is his last week working for me and it would be nice to end our two years together with a win."