Australian Karrie Webb is in the place she feels most comfortable, in contention, heading into the final round of the Kia Classic being played at the Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad.

Webb carded a third round of two-under-par 70 which has her at nine-under-par total and just two back from Spain’s Beatriz Recari.

The Queenslander could have been a tied for the lead had it not been for two “out-of-nowhere” swings on the 17th and mental error on the 18th which resulted in two closing bogeys. However, the 38-time winner on the LPGA said there was nothing that happened out on the course that left her worrying about playing tomorrow.

“The two swings on 17, I don`t even know where they came from,” said Webb.
“Then 18 was just a really bad mental job worrying about hitting it right. So I don`t have to worry about anything there, I feel good with how things are.”
“ I hit some good putts today and hit the ball well. I had three chances at eagle, three putts at eagle today and that doesn`t happen for me very often, so I`m happy with the way things are and hopefully I can finish it off tomorrow.”

Webb is exactly where she wants to be, in contention and that is where she feels most comfortable.

“I feel like that`s my comfort zone,” said Webb.

“Not every time that I give myself a chance to win do I win, but that`s where I feel the most comfortable. I think where I felt awkward and not enjoying myself is when maybe I have to try and make a cut. I don`t like that, so I don`t like being out there just to make up the numbers.”

“ I like to have a chance to win and I`ve put myself in there with a good shot tomorrow. Because of my experience, I`m comfortable there.”

The Spaniard will be vying for her second LPGA title. She increased her lead to two shots after a three-under 69. It was her third-consecutive bogey-free round and used a birdie on No. 11 and eagle on No. 16 to move to 11-under for the week.

“I don`t think I have ever played bogey free after three rounds,” said Recari. “I don`t think, no. I mean, I`ve minimized mistakes, I`ve had a few bogeys, I`ve had one or two bogeys, but bogey free, I think that`s a new record for me. The last time I was in the lead heading into the 4th round was when I won, so it feels good.”

American Paula Creamer (71) and South Korean I.K Kim (70) share third at eight-under-par total. Lurking at seven-under-par is Rolex World No.1 Stacey Lewis (69) and fellow compatriots Lizette Salas (70) and Cristie Kerr (71).

The only other Australian in the field, Victorian Lindsey Wright had an average third round of 76 to fall back into a share for 63rd position.