Yamashita's Lead Shrinks as Kim and Others Close In at Women's British Open

Miyu Yamashita experienced a challenging round on Saturday, marked by errant tee shots and struggles on the greens. This combination resulted in a score of 2-over 74, which reduced her lead to a single shot over A Lim Kim at the Women’s British Open. Yamashita, who had a three-shot lead entering the third round, faced difficulties, particularly with her driving accuracy over the final stretch of holes.

Despite the challenges, Yamashita managed to maintain her position at the top of the leaderboard at Royal Porthcawl. She narrowly avoided losing the lead on the 17th hole, where she recovered from a pot bunker and sank a lengthy putt for par. Although she missed a birdie opportunity on the final hole, she finished the day at 9-under 207. Reflecting on her performance, Yamashita, who celebrated her 24th birthday on Saturday, stated her intention to analyze her round and make improvements for the final day.

A Lim Kim delivered an impressive performance, shooting a 5-under 67 in the face of increasing wind conditions. She had a chance to tie for the lead on the 18th hole but ultimately settled for par. This performance placed her in the final group alongside Yamashita, as she aims for her second major title, having previously won the U.S. Women’s Open in 2020. Kim emphasized her focus on her own game and process rather than the leader.

The final round promises excitement, with several players within striking distance of the lead. Charley Hull of England, who shot a 66, is within three shots of Yamashita. Andrea Lee is two shots behind, followed by Megan Khang, Rio Takeda, and Minami Katsu. Lee acknowledged the pressure on the leader and anticipated a challenging final day, suggesting that anyone within five shots has a chance to win.

The tournament initially appeared to be a potential Japanese duel, with Yamashita leading and Takeda in close pursuit. However, Yamashita's putting struggles and driving issues created opportunities for other contenders. Despite some birdies, she faced difficulties, particularly with her approach shots. Takeda also had a challenging day. Lottie Woad, the rising English star, finished six shots behind. Nelly Korda, the world's top-ranked player, is likely to end the major championship season without a title. The LPGA Tour has seen a historic start to the season, with no multiple winners through 19 tournaments.