Jutanugarn moves into top spot with six birdies
WOBURN, ENGLAND— Ariya Jutanugarn took the Women’s British Open lead Saturday at tree-lined Woburn, nearly four months after blowing a late lead in the first major championship of the year.
“I think I know how to play under pressure,” the 20-year-old Thai golfer said. “The only thing I have to focus on (is) what is under my control.”
In early April at the ANA Inspiration in the California desert, Jutanugarn — at the time best known for a closing triple bogey to lose the 2013 LPGA Thailand championship — bogeyed the final three holes to hand the title to Lydia Ko.
“I really get nervous, especially being my first time leading,” Jutanugarn said that afternoon at Rancho Mirage. “I got a lot of experience from this week.”
She put the hard lessons to use in May, winning three straight events and becoming the LPGA Tour’s first Thai champion. On Saturday, she shot a bogey-free six-under 66 to pull two strokes ahead of Mirim Lee.
“I feel a lot more comfortable,” Jutanugarn said, “especially today, because I didn’t hit my iron good but I still make some birdies.”
Jutanugarn birdied six of the first14 holes and closed with four pars to reach 16-under 200 — breaking the tournament 54-hole mark of 201, set by Caroline Masson in 2011 at Carnoustie. The 72-hole standard is 269 — by Karen Stupples in 2004 at Sunningdale.
Alena Sharp was the top Canadian, tied for 40th at two under par after a third-round 74. Compatriots Brooke Henderson (72) and Maude-Aimee Leblanc (73) sat at one under.
To relax, the Thai player smiles as part of her pre-shot routine.
“I really want to try to be, like, relaxed before the shot,” said Jutanugarn, in position to jump from sixth to third in the world rankings with a victory.
She hoped to be smiling again late Sunday.
“I think it’s no pressure for me, because the only thing I want to do is have fun,” Jutanugarn said. “So one more day, I want to have fun.”
She chipped in from 90 feet for birdie on No. 8 and made a 30-footer on 10 on the Marquess Course, the hilly, forest layout that is a big change from the usual seaside links.
Lee shot a 69. The South Korean led after each of the first two rounds, opening with a 62 and shooting a 71 on Friday.
“Everything was OK. Just OK, not perfect,” Lee said.
Mo Martin was third at 11 under after a round of 69. The American won the 2014 version at Royal Birkdale.
Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, at 46 trying to become the LPGA’s oldest major champion, shot 71 to move into fourth at 10 under. She played alongside Jutanugarn.
“If she keeps playing like she keeps playing, she’s going to be tough to catch,” Matthew said. “But (I’ll) go out tomorrow and try to make as many birdies as I can.”
The top-ranked Ko was tied for 27th at three under after shooting 69. She closed with a double bogey after birdies on five of the previous seven holes.