Ochoa, Webb enter final lap in LPGA money race

MIAMI, Nov 19 (Reuters) Lorena Ochoa and Karrie Webb go into today's final round at the season-ending Tour Championship in West Palm Beach with a record first prize of 1 million dollars and the money list title on the line.

Mexican Ochoa and Australian Webb are the only two players among the eight surviving the third-round cut at Trump International who can cap the 2006 campaign by claiming the money crown.

Ochoa, who clinched Player of the Year honours by winning last week's Tournament of Champions, heads the money list and would hold on to that award as long as Webb does not triumph today.

If either player wins the LPGA Tour's showpiece season finale, the money title would be secured as well.

Ochoa booked her place in the last eight by carding a five-under-par 67 in yesterday's third round, climbing into a tie for sixth at four-under 212. Former world number one Webb finished two strokes better after returning a 70.

South Korea's Chung Il Mi, an eight-times winner on the Korean circuit who is chasing her first LPGA Tour victory, set the tournament pace at nine under after shooting a sparkling 65.

Compatriot Kim Mi Hyun also fired a 65 to lie joint-second at eight under with Paraguay's Julieta Granada (69).

Also qualifying for the final round were Japan's Ai Miyazato (72) and Americans Paula Creamer (70) and Natalie Gulbis (72).

Third-round positions are now redundant with all scores wiped away and the eight survivors competing in an 18-hole shootout today for the biggest first prize in Tour history.

REUTERS DKS PM0450