TURNBERRY, Scotland (AP) Karrie Webb will have to overcome a three-shot deficit and a leaderboard packed with youngsters to win a third Women's British Open title.

Webb shot a 2-under-par 70 Saturday for a three-round total of 9 under, three strokes behind co-leaders Carin Koch of Sweden and Jenny Rosales of the Philippines.

Koch made a 30-foot birdie putt at No. 18 for a 4-under 68, tying Rosales, who shot a 65 to get to 12-under 204.

Spain's Paula Marti shot a 69 and 19-year-old LPGA rookie Natalie Gulbis had a 67. They were two strokes back at 10-under 206.

Michelle Ellis (68), Beth Bauer (70), Tina Barrett (70), and Candie Kung (71) were tied with Webb, who is trying to become the first player since 1964 to win a major four years in a row.

"Obviously, I'd like to be leading, but three shots isn't too far behind on this golf course," Webb said. "If we could get a bit of wind up tomorrow, it definitely could go any way."

Koch acknowledged that Webb is the biggest threat.

"Karrie is just such a consistent player," Koch said. "She's won majors before which a lot of us haven't. And that's very much an advantage for her."

Webb has 11 come-from-behind victories in her career, all from two strokes or more.

With a victory, the 27-year-old Webb can become the first golfer since Hall of Famer Mickey Wright to win majors in four straight years. Wright achieved the feat twice between 1957-64.

Starting her third round at 7 under, Webb opened with a bogey. She rebounded to birdie Nos. 3 and 6, and made the turn at 8 under.

On the back nine, Webb had one birdie and eight pars.

"It was still a pretty solid round," Webb said. "If a couple of putts had dropped, I would only have been one shot behind."

Webb knows the competition isn't conceding first place.

"The quality of talent up there is not surprising," Webb said. "Even though they're inexperienced, the course hasn't bared its teeth yet.

"It could still be the exact same leaderboard even if it had. The names that are out there you will probably see for a long time."

Mi Hyun Kim, who won her last two LPGA tournaments and was the runnerup last year, limped around Turnberry, finishing with a 3-over 75 while struggling with a severe cramp in her foot. She stands at 3-over 219.

"My right foot is bad and has got a bit worse each day," said the Korean who removed her shoe between shots. "My shoe was a bit too tight."

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