South Korea’s Shin leads the Women’s Open ahead of Vu and Korda before the final round
Two-time former winner Shin Ji-yai heads into Sunday’s final round of the Women’s Open at St Andrews with a one-stroke lead and said it took all her years of experience to battle back to a third-round score of 67 (five under par).
The 36-year-old, who won the tournament in 2008 and 2012, improved to a total of seven under par, one stroke ahead of defending champion Lilia Vu and two ahead of last week’s leader and world number one Nelly Korda.
On another wet and windy day in Scotland, Shin put herself in pole position by limiting herself to just two bogeys, but said her narrow lead was “nothing” with similar weather expected for the final round.
“This is my third time at St. Andrews. I’ve played there so many times and for so long,” Shin said. “I have a lot of experience with links courses – not with this hard wind, but overall I have a lot of good experience.”
“That’s why I had to use all my skills today. The wind was on my side today and I made two bogeys today, but I think anyone can make a bogey or two.”
Korda was one stroke under par after 11 holes, but her bid for a second major title this year was derailed when she dropped five strokes in six holes on the back nine before making a much-needed birdie on the final hole.
The American, who started with two rounds of 68 before reaching a three-over-par 75, said she expected another “tough day” on Sunday and just wanted to keep “a positive attitude”.
“I played really well the first two days, so I’m going to carry the momentum into tomorrow,” she said.
Vu also recovered from a double-bogey stumble on the 13th hole to come back with three birdies in her final five holes to move into second place.
“In the middle of it, the wheels fell off. I got nervous, but my caddie was able to encourage me and tell me that I was playing well,” Vu said.
Olympic champion Lydia Ko is also in the race with four strokes under par alongside Jenny Shin from South Korea. China’s Yin Ruoning finished the match with one stroke under par, falling to three strokes under par and is tied for sixth place with four strokes.
