CARNOUSTIE, July 30, 2011 (AFP) - Germany's Caroline Masson stretched her lead to two shots with a third round 68 at the British Open on Saturday, but faces a pressure-packed final day to fend off the challenge from defending champion, Yani Tseng.
Masson finished on 15 under par -- a 54-hole record -- with Tseng, who claimed she had never heard of the German player, in second place on 13 under after a best of day 66.
Scot Catriona Matthew had a 68 and shared third place on nine under with South Korea's Park Inbee, who birdied the last for a 73.
Masson is a 22-year-old who has yet to win in two years as a professional.
But if a three-putt bogey at the first showed her nerves, the six birdies that followed suggested she could have what it takes to land a major title.
Her only other slip-up came after a bunkered second at the 18th -- but even there she holed a ten foot putt to save a bogey.
"I was nervous at first and made bogey but then I birdied the second and felt very comfortable," she said. "But I still can't really believe that I am leading the British Open. It is a strange feeling.
"It is also very exciting and I'm looking forward to playing with Yani tomorrow. I have never met her, but she is the world No.1 and has won so many titles. I am sure I will learn a lot."
Tseng knows that experience is on her side. She is also 22, but has won four majors and is one of the most powerful women in the game.
Her 66 was made up of a homeward nine of four birdies plus the highlight of a monster eagle putt -- all of 70 feet -- for an eagle three at the 14th.
"I played awesome," said Tseng, the winner from Royal Birkdale a year ago. "I'm so excited about tomorrow."
She also admitted she had never heard of her final day playing partner.
"When she led last night I had to ask my caddy 'who's that?' But it shows how many good players there are around these days.
"But I feel very comfortable and confident. I've learned a lot from the last three years, from my wins and my mistakes and I'll take that experience into tomorrow."
Matthew thrilled the home gallery with a 68 for third place on nine under par. The winner at Royal Lytham and St Annes two years ago, she also knows how to win at Carnoustie.
Twenty years ago, aged 21, Matthew on the Scottish Amateur Championship over the famous links.
"It helps that I know the course, but I think Yani and Caroline feel pretty happy here now too," she said.
Leading third round scores in the Women's British Open at Carnoustie Golf Club, Scotland on Saturday (par 72):
201 - Caroline Masson (GER) 68-65-68
203 - Yani Tseng (TPE) 71-66-66
207 - Catriona Matthew (GBR) 70-69-68, Park Inbee (KOR) 70-64-73
208 - Choi Na Yeon (KOR) 69-67-72
209 - Brittany Lang (USA) 70-70-69, Sophie Gustafson (SWE) 68-71-70, Pak Se Ri (KOR) 72-64-73
210 - Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 70-71-69, Yoo Sun Young (KOR) 71-70-71, Paula Creamer (USA) 69-70-71, Mika Miyazato (JPN) 69-69-72, Dewi Claire Schreefel (NED) 70-66-74
211 - Sophie Giquel-Bettan (FRA) 71-68-72, Amy Yang (KOR) 68-70-73
212 - Feng Shanshan (CHN) 70-75-67, Ahn Sun-Ju (KOR) 71-71-70, Vicky Hurst (USA) 70-71-71, Kim Song-Hee (KOR) 69-72-71, Momoko Ueda (JPN) 69-71-72, Angela Stanford (USA) 68-72-72
213 - Rachel Jennings (GBR) 71-73-69, Stacy Lewis (USA) 74-68-71, Karrie Webb (AUS) 70-71-72, Cindy LaCrosse (USA) 72-69-72, Shin Jiyai (KOR) 75-66-72, Pat Hurst (USA) 70-69-74