KUTZTOWN, Pa., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Australia's Michelle Ellis ran off five consecutive birdies Saturday and fired a 7-under-par 65 to grab a two-stroke lead over compatriot Karrie Webb after three rounds of the Betsy King Classic.
A 26-year-old coming off consecutive runner-up finishes, Ellis overcame an early bogey with eight birdies, including five in a row beginning at the eighth hole. The run coincided with Ellis being miked for television coverage.
"You have to watch that guy with the microphone," said Ellis, who has a 54-hole total of 15-under 201. "He put the mike on me and that was when the show started. It was like I knew I was on, the TV is on. He did the same thing on Thursday, too. And that was when I also had five birdies in a row."
Webb, a two-time LPGA Tour Player of the Year, followed a 65 with a 67 to climb to 13-under 203.
"I'm pretty pleased with my round. It's hard to back up a 65," she said. "I didn't hit it as well, but I did hit good iron shots. I tried to make putts, but it's hard to feel 67 is as good after a 65. I'm a couple shots out of the lead and it's still anyone's tournament."
Kelly Robbins, unheralded Angela Stanford and Korea's Se Ri Pak were three strokes back at 204. Robbins matched Ellis' 65 while Stanford and Pak shot 66s.
Danielle Ammaccapane, who shared the lead after each of the previous two rounds, had a 71 that dropped her five shots behind Ellis. Second-round co-leader Wendy Doolan, another Australian, was another stroke back after a 72.
