Jenny Shin sits atop the leaderboard at the 2026 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open on 12-under-par with just one round remaining at Dundonald Links.
The Korean star, who has been in front since the 18-hole mark, held a five-shot lead overnight and produced a round of 71 (-1) on day three.
On a day of difficult conditions with periods of rainfall and gusting winds, as well as sunshine, Shin made her first birdie of the day on the sixth hole.
She dropped a shot on the 10th but immediately bounced back with a birdie at 11 to maintain her advantage at the top of the leaderboard with 18 holes to play.
“That was a very tough round, I was quite nervous for the first five holes, so I’m really glad that I was able to finish the day in red numbers. It was a pretty boring and nerve-wracking day at the same time,” said Shin.
“That was a bit of a hiccup on number 10, I changed my setup this week because of all the wind and out of habit, I lined up the putt and went back to my old setup. I shut the face. I knew what I was doing, so I was able to get back pretty easily.
“I think the key is definitely hitting the fairways and then giving myself opportunities to get on the green. I have a pretty decent short game, so I wasn’t too worried when I did miss the green because I did it in the right spots.
“I’ve never been in this position [a five-shot lead], so I don’t know how to feel. I’m going to go and practice for a little bit and get a good feel for tomorrow so I’m not such a mess in the morning. The first putt on my first hole today I didn’t really know what I was looking at, so hopefully tomorrow will be better because I experienced all the nerves on the front nine today.”
Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn is in solo second spot on seven-under-par after a round of 69 (-3) – the equal best round of the day.
The LET winner rolled in birdies on the third, 12th and 17th holes to move five strokes behind Shin.
“I would say almost everything went well,” said Anannarukarn. “I was driving the ball well and hitting it good out there. The putter was very hot today, so that was the key. It was a challenging day, and also, at the same time I had good fun battling with the wind. It was a great day out there.
“I will try to keep that momentum going, I was really in the zone and just focusing on my shot and trying to hit the fairway, hit the green and make the putt. That’s all I was thinking about and trying to get a hold of the wind and figure out what it’s doing. I really enjoyed it out there.
“This is a proper Links course and I enjoy playing it especially when you do well. I enjoy the challenge and try to do my best out there and hopefully, score well and I’m really happy with today.
“It’s golf. Everyone wants to do well and everyone is trying to chase and give their all. That’s what I wanted to do as well, focusing on myself and giving myself a lot of opportunities and hopefully I will have another good day.”
Japan’s Erika Hara and Germany’s Esther Henseleit share third place on five-under-par after rounds of 71 (-1) and 73 (+1), respectively.
Solheim Cup star Henseleit said: “It’s been playing tough all week. I feel like on those first two holes, I got a bit unlucky with my lies. I had to accept that bogey, and then I played pretty good after. I didn’t really hit it very close today, so didn’t have many birdie chances, but I managed to get a couple on the back nine.”
Korea’s A Lim Kim is in fifth place on three-under-par with Japan’s Miyu Yamashita and 2024 champion Lauren Coughlin one shot further back.
Three players round out the top 10 with American pair Rose Zhang and Ryann O’Toole alongside Korea’s Amy Yang in T8.
In the race for the AIG Women’s Open, at the 54-hole mark it’s Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen, Ecuador’s Daniela Darquea and Nataliya Guseva who sit in the three qualifying spots with one round remaining.
Round four will begin at 8.25 am (local time) with the leading group teeing off at 10.30 am at Dundonald Links.
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