It was an exhausting day for the 2018 Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open champion Ariya Jutanugarn. An even-par round to remain on top of the leaderboard at -9, though this time joined by Charley Hull and Ryann O’Toole, was quite the accomplishment, the 24-year-old said. Yet despite the disappointments, Jutanugarn’s smile never seemed to waver on Dumbarnie Links, especially after a commotion of sorts on No. 10.
“I aimed too far right because I think the wind going to take it, so ends up in the bunker. Just like normal bunker, I have to hit it out for like 50 yards and I miss it. So it role back in the bunker again and then I supposed to hit, I mean to hit shorter than the water,” said Jutanugarn. “Somehow I hit it so good, so it's over the water and it role back in the hole, like some hole. And then I got like free drop from that and make six.”
And when Jutanugarn stepped up to the tee on No. 11, she again walked to a bunker to hit her approach, becoming even more familiar to the idiosyncrasies of the Clive Clark design. “I missed my tee shot again in the bunker and then I hit it again, so over the green. Pretty tough like up-and-down, so I make like 4 on that hole,” said the 12-time LPGA Tour winner. “So made me feel better because you know after doubles, will I be able to make par.”
Jutanugarn, who is aiming to join Nelly Korda with three wins in 2021, said there were still plenty of positives to still take from her third round heading into Sunday. “I still have so much fun today because like I have really good commitment but ball end up just not in the right place,” said Jutanugarn. “You know, it's just not my good days but still have so much positive to go on.”
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