Kim six clear as she aims to rule at Kingsbarns
SOUTH KOREA’S IK Kim will take a commanding lead into today’s final round of the Ricoh Women’s British Open after a late collapse from England’s Georgia Hall.
Kim carded a third round of 66 at Kingsbarns to finish 17-under-par, six shots ahead of Hall and Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn, with Olympic champion Inbee Park and American Ally McDonald a shot further back.
Six birdies in the first 12 holes had taken Kim into a six-shot lead only for playing partner Hall – who had earlier driven the green on the fifth to set up an eagle – to birdie the 13th, 14th and 15th.
However, Hall then bogeyed the 16th and four-putted the 17th for a double-bogey six to card a two-under-par 70, her highest score of the week.
“I played a lot better than two-under, just on 17 I could hardly see the green,” said 21-yearold Hall.
“I thought I hit a good shot but ended up with a very hard putt and the green is so steep. I had a six-footer and had to aim two feet right and missed that and then had a three-footer, downhill left to right and missed that.
“But I played a lot of good golf out there. If I can get off to a good start again and have a strong last six holes I have a chance.”
Kim has won twice on the LPGA Tour this season but is perhaps still best known for missing a one-foot putt to win the Kraft Nabisco Championship – now called the ANA Inspiration – in 2012.
That forced the 29-year-old into a play-off with Sun-Young Yoo, which Yoo won with a birdie on the first extra hole.
Jutanugarn, who could succeed her younger sister, Ariya, as the champion, moved through the field with a 67 which was eclipsed by a course record-equalling 64 from 2015 winner Park.
Park, who was unable to defend her title last year due to injury, raced to the turn in 31 and picked up three more shots on the back nine in a bogey-free round which was almost matched by playing partner Stacy Lewis, who returned a 65.
“I hadn’t putted that well the first two days, but they cut the greens a little more today and they were a bit faster and suited perfectly to my putter,” Park said. “I was able to hole a lot of putts. “I haven’t been striking the ball well, but a couple of things clicked this week and I started to get some confidence back.”