WOBURN, England Ariya Jutanugarn, who likes to smile before going into her pre-shot routine, was grinning from ear-to-ear after surging two strokes clear of the field in the Ricoh Women’s British Open third round on Saturday.
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After registering two top-four finishes at majors in 2016, Ariya Jutanugarn holds a two-shot lead with 18 holes to play at Woburn.
However the 46-year-old, who is bidding to become the oldest woman to win a “major” championship, has accrued more than enough wisdom in a career that saw her head to America to join the LPGA Tour before the Thai youngster was born, to know that it can as easily turn around once again in the final round. “I know like what I have to focus and the only thing I have to is like focus on what is under my control”.
“I feel a lot more comfortable”, Jutanugarn said, “especially today, because I didn’t hit my iron good but I still make some birdies”.
Lee’s round included three birdies and two bogeys – a much different trip around the Marquess’ Course than Thursday’s excursion in which she compiled 10 birdies without a single bogey. Jutanugarn had a 69, and Feng shot 68.
The South Korean star improved during her third round, however, finishing three-under-par to move onto an overall score of 14-under for the tournament.
“Everything was okay, just okay”.
Everything was OK. Just OK, not flawless, Lee said. Martin trailed by three strokes entering the final day at Royal Birkdale where she captured her major title.
Jutanugarn played alongside 2009 champion Catriona Matthew on Saturday, who kept pace with her younger counterpart throughout the round, carding a one-unde par, 71 to sit six-strokes back of her playing partner.
A household name back home in Thailand, Jutanugarn grew up admiring Tiger Woods – as she pointed out, he has Thai heritage – and she has already carved out her own little bit of history.
She hoped to be smiling late Sunday.
“It’s just nice that I’m finally playing well, said Webb”.
“A lot will depend on how May plays tomorrow, but if I can go out and shoot a low number you never know”, she said.
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World No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand was in danger of missing the cut but delivered birdies on the 15th and 16 holes to finish with a second-round 70 and an even-par 144 total, tied for 56th. She had five birdies in a six-hole stretch in the middle of the round.
