DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Thursday was a chance for a handful of teams to show Duke that a third straight national championship would not come without a fight.
Weather conditions were the same as the first two days, warm, sunny and very, very windy. Talking with Blue Devil head coach Dan Brooks before Rd. 3, he smiled and gave me that look of ‘I hope it blows 30 mph.’ His thinking, the harder it is, the better it will be for his team.
Well Brooks thinking was quite prophetic, as Duke extended their lead after 54 holes, now eight clear of second-place Purdue and well on their way to a three-peat. But dont count out the Boilermakes just yet. Purdues team total of 3 over par was the round of the day, and keeps them within shouting distance of the Blue Devils.
UCLA fell back on thursday shooting 11 over par, and is now 13 behind Duke.
The race for medalist honors also has a clear cut favorite as Purdues Christel Boeljon shot her second straight round of 3-under-par 69, and now has a five shot lead with 18 holes remaining.
With one day left, Duke and Boeljon are in prime positions to leave the Legends Course as national champions for 2007. Only one round remains between them and the trophies.
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