THE Asian stranglehold on women's golf is tightening fast. Not only do they have a firm grip of the Ricoh Women’s British Open, they are being tipped to squeeze out the rest of the world for years to come.

As Japan’s Yuri Fudoh took a one-stroke lead into this afternoon’s final round at Sunningdale, with Ji-Yai Shin second and Ai Miyazato third, the former world No 1, Annika Sorenstam, warned we had better get used to it.

“What we’re seeing is going to continue,” said the Swede, who is playing in her last major. “I believe there is going to be continued growth from the Asians. If you watch the Korean Tour, there is some tremendous talent, and they all want to be out here.”

At Sunningdale, there are eight Asians in the top 12, four of them Korean. Fudoh carded a 69 for 13 under par, while Korea's Shin signed for a 70. Miyazato, another Japanese, had a 68 to finish on 11 under. One stroke further back are the American veterans Christie Kerr and Juli Inkster, who at 48 is still hoping to become the oldest winner of a major championship. Another American, Natalie Gulbis, is four off the lead.

The explosion of young, driven women from Korea contrasts starkly with the outlook in Britain. Melissa Reid, the country's best young prospect, said earlier in the week her compatriots didn't know the meaning of hard work. Two days later, she missed the cut by six strokes.

The leading Briton is 35-year-old Karen Stupples, on four under after a 72 yesterday, but the host nation has no-one following in the footsteps of the 2004 champion. “I don't think you have for a while," said Sorenstam. The key is to grow the game at an early age. You have some great role models. I’m not sure what happens after that."

Sorenstam expects Taiwan's Ya-Ni Tseng to be world No 1 within four years, which is bad news for the incumbent, Lorena Ochoa, who started her third round two off the lead and ended it five back after a 71.

ON TV TODAY
Women’s British Open
1.30pm BBC2