Teresa Lu of Taiwan and Jin Young Ko of South Korea posted 3-under-par 69s to share the lead heading to the final round of the 39th Ricoh Women’s British Open on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Lu (pictured) and Ko have posted identical scores of 68-71-69–208, 8-under, over the first three rounds.
“I really enjoyed today and I never really thought I was leading this tournament, but it’s really kind of a bonus,” Ko, who is playing in her first major, said through an interpreter. “But this is a big tournament, and leading right now, my caddie Jeff every shot, he told me just enjoy it and that really helped.”
Said Lu, whose only LPGA Tour victory came in the 2013 Mizuno Classic: “I didn’t expect this good score. I think I just focused on my low shot, my swing and it turned out pretty good. I think this is my first time (leading a major) and I think tomorrow I have to try to stay relaxed over it because it’s going to be a tough day tomorrow and I think I just need to play my game.”
Suzann Pettersen of Norway, who took a two-stroke lead into the third round, shot 72 and was one stroke back in third, followed another shot behind by Mika Miyazato of Japan, who birdied the last two holes to finish at 70.
“Yeah, felt like I left some shots out there but long game was great,” said Pettersen, a two-time major champion. “Better today than tomorrow. Started off, it was quite tough. It was rough the first three or four holes. But tried to get into a nice rhythm, hit a lot of greens.
“Last year (a tie for second) was the closest I’ve been (in the British). This year, I feel like I’m in a great position again, so I’ve got to do some homework now, go get some good rest and try and go all-in tomorrow. I’m going straight to the putting green and get the basics back for tomorrow. Just getting a good feel before I go back to the hotel.”
Top-ranked Inbee Park of South Korea played flawlessly after a bogey on the first hole to wind up at 69 and was three back in a tie for fifth with second-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who totaled 72 thanks to two late birdies, and Minjee Lee of Australia, who eagled the 14th hole on her way to a 70.
Melissa Reid of England finished eagle-birdie for a 69 that left her four shots behind in a tie for eighth with So Yeon Ryu of South Korea, who had bogeys on two of her last three holes to wind up at 73.
Amy Bolden of Wales posted the best score of the day, a 68, and was one more stroke behind in a tie for 10th with Nicole Broch Larsen of Denmark, who came in at 70.
Lexi Thompson, coming off her victory in the Meijer LPGA Classic last week, had a 70 and was in a tie for 15th that included Cristie Kerr, who shot 73, while third-ranked Stacy Lewis was tied for 20th after a 72.
