Jiyai Shin fired a 5 beneath 67 to maneuver to the highest of the leaderboard on day three of the AIG Girls’s Open at St Andrews.
The Korean opened with rounds of 71 on the primary two days in Scotland however made a giant transfer on Saturday to steer with a complete of seven-under-par.
Shin, who received the 2008 and 2012 editions of this match, acquired off to a scorching begin with back-to-back birdies on the primary two holes earlier than dropping a shot on the third.
Three birdies on the trot on holes seven, eight and 9 moved the 36-year-old into rivalry earlier than she made one other on the twelfth gap.
There was one other bogey on 14, however Shin quickly completed in fashion with others faltering round her as she rolled in a remaining birdie on 17 to seal a spherical of five-under and transfer into first place.
“I performed golf for a very long time, that is my third time at St Andrews,” mentioned Shin, who has 64 wins worldwide. “I’ve loads of expertise with hyperlinks course, though not this powerful wind, however I’ve loads of expertise.’’
Defending champion Lilia Vu sits in outright second place only one shot behind Shin because of a birdie on the final.
The American carded a 71, which included 5 birdies, one double bogey, and two bogeys to be inside touching distance with 18 holes left to play.
World primary Nelly Korda, who led on the midway stage, had a trickier day slipping to a 3 over 75 to drop to 3rd place on five-under-par.
The three-time LET winner had one double bogey and 5 bogeys on her scorecard alongside 4 birdies together with one on the final to solely be two photographs behind chief Shin.
“It’s good to complete with a birdie, however it wasn’t the very best of days,” mentioned Korda. “It was good to see one roll in, it barely rolled in however after making two bogeys on the primary two holes, it was good to rebound with a birdie.
“With the double on 16 and bogey on 17, you wish to end on word. I used to be glad to see that one roll in. Hopefully, I can take that momentum into tomorrow.
“I believe it’s going to be a tricky day. I believe the winds are going to be excessive. There could possibly be rain, as nicely. I’m going to maintain a constructive angle. Take it one shot at a time. I performed rather well the primary two days, so I’m going to take that momentum into tomorrow.”
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Korea’s Jenny Shin are one shot additional again in a share of fourth.
4 gamers are in a tie for sixth with Ruoning Yin, Jinhee Im, Jeeno Thitikul and Alexa Pano all on three-under-par.
Six gamers are one shot additional again in T10 together with Esther Henseleit, Albane Valenzuela, Charley Hull and Casandra Alexander.
