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Rain (finally!) in forecast for final round

ST ANDREWS, Scotland--One job I wouldn't want to have, even if it meant living in St Andrews, is that of a weather forecaster. All week I've been writing about projections for isolated showers, scattered showers and periods of rain. But until today, it hasn't rained at all in St Andrews (mind a few drops as I ran on the West Sands Tuesday morning). Six days of zero rain. Well, this morning, some two hours before Lorena Ochoa tees off with a six-shot lead in the final round of the RICOH Women's British Open, we finally have rain.

Today's forecast calls for...um...cloudy skies with periods of rain all afternoon. The good news is there's only a trace of wind, which was the story yesterday when 26 players shot in the 80s and most of the contenders were blown off the leaderboard. Both Wendy Ward and Catriona Matthew, one shot back heading into the third round, shot 80s. Annika Sorenstam fired a 77.

As one reporter here said this morning: "Rain. No wind. Sounds like perfect conditions for a six-shot lead."

Still, Ochoa figures to be nervous. She admitted to as much yesterday after posting her second straight round of even par 73. Ochoa would be more than happy with a similar score this afternoon. That would almost certainly bring a first major championship to the 25-year-old, No. 1-ranked Mexican.

"We're all human and playing at St Andrews, trying to win a [first] major, it puts pressure [on me]," said Ochoa. "But I think in a good way. I think I'm prepared. I don't want to talk too much about it, I just want to go out tomorrow and play my round like any other day. Enjoy every step. I'm ready to do it."