USGA

US Senior Women's Open 2018

July 12-15

Chicago Golf Club, Wheaton, Illinois

July 12-15

Chicago Golf Club, Wheaton, Illinois

Round 3

Laura Davies seizes lead

Round 1

Round 2

Round 4

Round 1

Round 2

Round 4

July 14, 2018

England's Laura Davies, propelled by an eagle and five birdies, seized a five-stroke lead at the inaugural US Senior Women's Open on Saturday.

Davies, 1987 US Women's Open winner who has won 20 LPGA titles and lifted 45 Ladies European Tour trophies, said her hefty lead over American Juli Inkster wouldn't necessarily make for a serene Sunday at Chicago Golf Club.

"It's a lovely feeling, but it's a nerve-wracking feeling," said Davies, 54. "It's there for me to lose now."

Davies said solid driving and a crisp iron game fueled her seven-under-par round of 66, which gave her an 11-under total of 208.

"I swung really solid and hit a lot of shots close," she said.

But the highlight was snaking a massive eagle putt at the par-five 12th.

"I holed about an 80-footer for eagle," she said. "It was all over the place -- four feet to the right, then three feet back the other way and in she went.

"You don't make many of those in your career, so that was fun."

Inkster capped her five-under-par 68 with an eagle at the 18th to reach six-under 213 going into the final round of the championship for the best women golfers in the world ages 50 and over.

England's Trish Johnson, who shared the overnight lead with Davies, carded an even par 73 to stand in third place on four-under 215.