Ariya Jutanugarn takes Women’s British Open lead

Karrie Webb remains the best-placed Australian as Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn surged to the lead in the Women’s British Open. The Women’s British Open was established by the Ladies’ Golf Union in 1976 and was meant to serve as the women’s equivalent of The Open Championship.

A day after matching the tournament record and falling a stroke short of the major championship mark, the 25-year-old South Korean player had three birdies and two bogeys to reach 11-under 133. “Normally, my ball-striking is not bad, so I know I’m going to hit a lot of fairways and greens”.

Jutanugarn seemed set to bag the first major win of her career in April when she led late on at the ANA Inspiration but three closing bogeys ruined her chances in California.

However, she bounced back by winning three times in four weeks on the LPGA Tour in May and has now given herself a great chance to claim Open glory.

“I feel a lot more comfortable”, Jutanugarn said.

Jutanugarn was the closest challenger to Lee overnight and cut the deficit with a round of 69, while Feng sits alongside her on 10 under par overall. The South Korean led after each of the first two rounds, opening with a 62 and shooting a 71 on Friday. “Not flawless, just okay”, Lee told the media after her round. The American won the 2014 tournament at Royal Birkdale. With a win she would become the oldest major champion in LPGA history at 46 years, 11 months and 6 days old.

Saturday, Martin was cheered on by friends and family who made the trip to Woburn to cheer her on, wearing buttons that say “Go Mo” in French.

“I will need to hole everything I look at tomorrow”.

World number one Lydia Ko was down the field on three-under 213. “I think it’s just a result of all the hard work I put in and I think most importantly, I’m just trying to have fun. I only know what I am doing”. I got off to a really good start but did not putt as well today. You do feel it maybe a little bit.

Charley Hull, the English star playing on her home course, was tied for 40th at 2 under after a 75.

“I felt like I played pretty decent, just didn’t hole any putts”, Hull said.

Following up four front nine birdies with two further gains on the homeward run, Jutanugarn stands at 16-under through 54 holes on a Marquess course that is giving up plenty of low scores.

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.

Meanwhile, Jutanugarn boosted her hopes of landing a fourth victory of the season by surging into a two-stroke lead. “Even if she had made the cut I’m not sure she could have played two more rounds”.