Yealimi Noh moves three clear at Royal Lytham – Lydia Ko stays in touch
Yealimi Noh – facing the biggest day of her career – image R&A via Getty Images
American Yealimi Noh, at 7 under, takes a three-shot lead over five players into the final round of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes after the leading contenders through 36 holes battled an increasingly demanding layout.
Noh, who has won only once since joining the LPGA Tour in 2020, faces the prospect of winning not only a second title but a major at that and one carrying a first prize of US$1.5 million, so tomorrow is shaping as the biggest day of the 25-year-old’s career.
Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki, Haeran Ryu from South Korea, Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, Lucy Li of the USA, and Germany’s Esther Henseleit are those golfers in a share of second place at 4 under.
Noh began the day in a share of 3rd place, and two behind the then leader, Haeran Ryu, and bogeys at her 4th and 5th holes suggested staying in touch might have been a struggle. But Noh was not alone in coming to terms with the windy conditions, and although Ryu made a fast start to the day, she began dropping shots soon after, and Noh’s recovery for a round of 69 saw her move three clear as she finished her round.
Earlier in the day, Japan’s Ayaka Furue had produced four birdies and an eagle for a round of the day 65 to move from just inside the cutline to what would eventually be 47 places better and in a share of 8th and Esther Enseleit also made considerable ground with her round of 67.
At the completion of the day only 13 players are under par, and those at 1 under are just six from the lead and, more importantly, in the event of a Noh struggling with the demands of leading a major, they are just three from second place. No player has held a three-shot lead or better in this event previously and failed to go on and win, but the task will not be an easy one.
“Yeah, I had a little bit of a rough start, a couple bogeys on the front nine, ” said Noh. “Actually a chip-in par save on the second, which was nice. Yeah, I just fell out of tempo a little bit and then got it together for the back nine, and it was really solid. Had some good par saves.”
Noh paid credit to her fiancée for improving her mindset following some ordinary efforts of late. “He’s been the best supporter, my biggest supporter besides my parents. I really wouldn’t be able to do anything without him, especially out on the golf course. You know, we’re always so stressed, and whether it’s going good or bad, it’s a lot with golfers. He’s been a really great supporter. He also plays golf, and he’s really good, so he understands a lot of it.
“Last week I was able to relax more. He reminded me that golf could be fun, like I said yesterday, just that it’s just a game. So he’s really helped me be in a good mindset for this week.”
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko heads the Australasians in a share of 12th place, her round of even par 71 today keeping her in touch of a high finish if she can produce a strong round tomorrow.
Robyn Choi, who is playing her first AIG Women’s Open has impressed with her showing, the Queenslander in a share of 16th place at 1 over par, while Hannah Green is two shots further back at 3 over.
Lydia Ko – in action during round 3 – image R&A via Getty Images
