DUBAI: One day away from retiring from professional golf, Denmark's Iben Tinning ensured herself a roaring send-off by booking a place in the final-day leadergroup of the 500,000 euro Dubai Ladies Masters, the season-ending tournament of the Ladies European Tour, here Friday. The 36-year-old Tinning shot a three-under par third round 69 to share the lead at eight-under par 208 with England's Melissa Reid at the Majlis course of Emirates Golf Club. Reid, one of the brightest prospects of European ladies golf, birdied the final two holes in her round of four-under par 68. The leading duo was one shot clear of Major champion Anna Nordqvist of Sweden, who slipped from the top of the leaderboard after making a three-putt bogey on the 17th hole, and then failed to make an eight-footer birdie putt on the final hole. She closed with a 71, and was joined in tied third place at seven-under par 209 by overnight leader Lydia Hall of Wales, who shot an even-par 72 round. American Michelle Wie failed to make any movement on the Moving Day, and a double bogey seven on the par-5 closing hole gave her a 73 and tied 17th place at even par 216. Defending champion In Kyung-Kim of Korea was a shot better than Wie at 215 after a one-under par 71 round. Tinning, who is planning to complete a diploma in sports psychology after she showcases her clubs, said she could still feel the butterflies in her stomach when she reached the first tee. “I was really nervous the first few holes,” said Tinning, who made one bogey on the eighth hole, apart from four birdies. “It was funny and I said to my husband (who is caddying for her) ‘Well, this is actually what I'm going to miss, so, I've just got to enjoy it. It would be great if I win. I've been waiting for a career win for almost six years now, and I think it's about time, and this is probably my only chance left. I might play one or two next year, but I'll see about that. I've just got to stick to my game plan in my pocket and that's it.” The top two players on the Money List - South Africa's Lee Anne Pace and England's Laura Davies - are both tied for the 29th place at three-over 219. Daly misses cut Bobby Gates, playing the Coolum resort course for the first time, shot a 3-under-par 69 Friday to take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Australian PGA. Another American, John Daly, had his usual problems at the layout where he's had one of his most famous career meltdowns – in 2002 when he was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard, after throwing his ball and putter into an 18th-hole greenside pond. Daly shot 83 Friday and missed the cut. Gates had a two-round total of 11-under 133, one better than China's Liang Wenchong (68) and Australian John Senden (65). Defending champion Robert Allenby shot 68 and was five strokes behind Gates, who will make his US PGA tour debut next year after finishing 16th on the Nationwide tour this year. Geoff Ogilvy, winner of last week's Australian Open, shot 69 and was six strokes behind Gates. Adam Scott shot 75 after an opening 73 and missed the cut. Daly had nines of 43 and 40, including a triple bogey, three double bogeys, three bogeys and one birdie. Daly refused to speak to media after his round. Oosthuizen misses cut In South Africa, British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen missed the Alfred Dunhill Championship halfway cut Friday as fellow South African Anthony Michael retained his two-stroke lead. Rookie Michael carded a three-under 69 after finishing with a bogey six for a two-round total of 135 over the par-72 Leopard Creek Country Club. But Oosthuizen, a 28-year native of Mossel Bay in the western Cape and shock winner at St. Andrews last July, could manage only a 71 for a total of 147 and failed by one stroke to qualify for the remaining two rounds. It was the latest blow for the shock British Open champion after he tore ankle ligaments while hunting three months ago, forcing him to wear a brace in tournaments after a lay-off. And last weekend Oosthuizen finished last in the Sun City Challenge invitation tournament after being the only competitor in a 12-strong field to finish over par. South Africans Alex Haindl, whose 66 was the lowest score of the day in an event co-sanctioned by the European Tour and South African Sunshine Tour, and Dawie van der Walt and Englishman Robert Rock are on 137 and share second spot.
