Minjee Lee – during round three of the Women’s Scottish Open – image LET
Minjee Lee and Lydia Ko face a big task if they are to feature in the finish of the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire but are not without hope as they trail the leader Lauren Coughlin by four and five shots respectively as the event enters its final round this evening.
American Loughlin’s third round of 66 saw her take a one-shot lead over her fellow American Megan Khang but a blunder by joint 36 hole leader Minjee Lee on her final hole today where a visit to the burn resulted in her third bogey of the back nine could prove costly by the end of 72 holes.
“It was kind of up-and-down,” said Lee. “You know, I just wasn’t as sharp on the back nine. I mean, I started pretty good. You know, I made two birdies in the first three holes, but I just didn’t carry on the momentum.
“A couple of the putts just missed the holes, and were pretty close to going in. So I think with links golf, sometimes it is what it is and sometimes you just have to take it on the chin.
“I was just telling myself just then, overall, it didn’t feel too bad but I think the score kind of didn’t really reflect how I felt — how I feel. So yeah, hopefully tomorrow I can get a bit more momentum going and make a couple more birdies during like the middle section.”
After a slow start to her day with two early bogeys, Ko recovered with three birdies in the middle of her round with three birdies and at 7 under and five behind she is not without hope but will need something special tomorrow.
In the final event before the last major of the year at next week’s AIG Women’s Open, Ko is aware of the importance in keeping the momentum from her win last week in Paris going.
“I think it’s nice to kind of play your way into a major championship. Having the three tournaments in Europe, obviously travel-wise is so much easier than being in Tokyo or something and coming over here. So I was always intending to play the three.
It is a long week, so it can get draining. So I’m sure by some point next week, I’m going to be tired but I think that’s part of my job to keep my energy levels high and make sure that I’m still feeling fresh for Thursday to Sunday next week as well.
