WOBURN – Saturday evening, Ariya Jutanugarn will sleep on the 54-hole lead in a major championship for the first time.
The three-time winner posted a six-under par, 66 on moving day to take the lead at the RICOH Women’s British Open at 16-under par, two strokes ahead of Mirim Lee at 14-under par. While this is the first time Jutanugarn will sleep on the lead in a major, she successfully managed her nerves when holding the 54-hole lead in each of her three victories during the month of May.
“I think I know how to play under pressure,” Jutanugarn told the media. “I know like what I have to focus and the only thing I have to is like focus on what is under my control.”
The long-hitter swapped out her driver for a 2-iron this week, and although she feels more comfortable when she has driver in the bag, Jutanugarn still finds herself in position to make history on Sunday. At 16-under par, Jutanugarn is just three-strokes shy of matching Karen Stupples’ Tournament scoring record of 19-under par which she posted in her victory in 2004 at Sunningdale Country Club.
Click here to watch Jutanugarn's post-round interview.
Click here to watch Jutanugarn's third round highlights.
After holding both the 18 and 36-hole lead, Mirim Lee stumbled on Saturday, getting lapped early in the round as leaders went low on Saturday. Lee dropped her only shot of the day at the par 4, 3rd to open the door for Jutanugarn and Matthew. She rebounded with four birdies to post a third round 69.
"Everything was okay, just okay. Not perfect, just okay," Lee told the media after her round.
2014 RICOH Women’s Open champion Mo Martin remained in the mix on Saturday, posting a 69 on day three to sit five strokes back of the lead heading into the final round. Martin trailed by three strokes entering the final day at Royal Birkdale where she captured her major title. Martin is solo third at 11-under par. Saturday, Martin was cheered on by friends and family who made the trip to Woburn to cheer her on, wearing buttons that say “Go Mo” in French.
Click here to watch Martin's post-round interview.
Jutanugarn played alongside 2009 champion Catriona Matthew on Saturday, who kept pace with her younger counterpart throughout the round, carding a one-under par, 71 to sit six-strokes back of her playing partner.
"Obviously if May keeps playing like she keeps playing, she's going to be tough to catch but go out tomorrow and try to make as many birdies as I can," Matthew said about Jutanugarn, referring to her by her nickname May. "Obviously playing with her, she was playing really well today and taking advantage of the good shots she was playing. You do feel maybe a little bit, maybe I tried just a bit too hard on some of the putts to keep up with her."
Matthew has a chance to make history of her own on Sunday. With a win she would become the oldest major champion in LPGA history at 46 years, 11 months and 6 days old.
Click here to watch Matthew's third round highlights.
Click here for complete scores from the third round of the RICOH Women’s British Open.
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