Two quick birdies take Ariya to the top in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM: Ariya Jutanugarn used two quick birdies at the US Women’s Open to put the pressure on leader Sarah Jane Smith.

With the momentum secured, the 22-year-old from Thailand was far from finished.

Jutanugarn shot a five-under 67 in the third round on Saturday, turning a three-shot deficit into a four-shot lead and creating an excellent opportunity to win her second Major. Even Smith, who shot a 74 to fall back to second place, was impressed by Ariya’s relentless surge.

“She’s a spectacular player, obviously,” Smith said. “Her length is just one part of her game. She hits it a long way, but her short game is impeccable. She rolls the ball beautifully.

“She’s just the whole package.” Ariya certainly looked like it on Saturday, combining long drives with a solid short game and putting. She made six birdies and just one bogey, rarely encountering serious trouble. When asked if her game had any current weaknesses, she immediately said yes, but then struggled to find one.

“Wait,” she said grinning. “I’m thinking.”

Ariya started the third round behind Smith, but quickly gained ground on the Australian, making two birdies on her first three holes. She took the lead after Smith stumbled with back-to-back bogeys and then surged ahead with three straight birdies on the back nine.

She was at 12-under 204 for the tournament.

Smith started the tournament with back-to-back 67s, but didn’t make a birdie in the third round.

“I think the nerves showed up in my putting,” Smith said. “I didn’t feel too bad, but I think when you are not getting the ball to the hole it probably proves that you are not letting it go.”

South Korea’s Hyo-Joo Kim was in third after shooting 68 and was six shots back.

It was a long, sweaty day at Shoal Creek, especially for those who had to complete their second round on Saturday morning before playing the third. Ariya said she had a 4am wakeup call and played a total of 28 holes as the temperature hovered around 90˚ with stifling humidity.

Ariya didn’t seem to mind, finishing with a 70 in the morning. She was able to rest a few hours before getting back on the course and birdied two of the first three holes to immediately put pressure on Smith, who has never won on the LPGA Tour.