BEATLES FAN KIM IS TOP OF THE POPS AT KINGSBARNS

BEATLES fan In-Kyung Kim topped the charts at Kingsbarns yesterday when she took route 66 to a six-shot lead in the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

The 29-year-old South Korean is within touching distance of a cheque for close to £400,000 after also carding the lowest total for three rounds in the history of the event on 17 under.

In addition to dreaming of a first major, Kim’s other ambition is to attend a Paul McCartney concert after revealing that she has a special ball marker featuring the Fab Four. ‘I love the Beatles’ music and I find it very inspiring,’ she said. ‘I just wish they were all still alive.’

Compatriot Inbee Park trails Kim by seven shots in joint fourth spot, but the seven-time major winner must have thought she would be much closer to the lead after missing out on a new course record by just half an inch.

Needing a birdie at the last to upstage Michelle Wie’s 64 in the opening round, Park watched in agony as her 30-foot attempt shaved the hole.

Park’s playing partner, American Stacy Lewis, was also in sublime form as she posted a 65 to climb to sixth, a shot further back.

Bournemouth’s Georgia Hall and Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn share second spot on 11 under.

But 21-year-old Hall should have been in a much stronger position after closing to within three shots of the leader with a trio of birdies from the 13th.

However, Hall fell apart down the stretch and like Park and Lewis has a lot of ground to make up.