Matthew trails leaders at US Women’s Open

CATRIONA Matthew birdied the last for a 73 but it was not enough for the Scot to mount a challenge at the US Women’s Open at Interlachen Country Club in Minnesota.

While Stacy Lewis fired a 67 and led by one from fellow American Paula Creamer (69) on nine under par, Matthew stood on one over par and was in a tie for 24th place.

The Scot shot 70 in the first round but suffered on day two when a lightning storm forced a long interruption to play and she finished a 77 in near darkness.

England’s Karen Stupples, the leading British player in America this year, lost ground with a third-round 75. The former Women’s British Open champion managed only one birdie and slipped to three over par and joint 36th.

It was a horrible third round for Scot Janice Moodie, the third British player to make the cut. She had five bogeys in a row from her 12th hole and then made a double-bogey at the next. She birdied her final hole but a round of 80 left her all but propping up the field.