Lauren Coughlin fired a bogey-free round of 66 (-6) to sit at the top of the leaderboard after three rounds of the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open.
The American opened with consecutive rounds of 69 on the first two days to be in a share of third place at the halfway stage at Dundonald Links.
Coughlin had an excellent day three posting the joint-best round of the day, while she didn’t drop a shot and rolled in birdies on holes five, seven, nine, 14, 15 and 18.
The LPGA Tour winner sits in first place with a total of 12-under-par and holds a one-shot lead over compatriot Megan Khang.
“It’s just what I’ve been doing all week, staying super patient and trying to guess the wind as good as I can and make good putts,” said Coughlin, who won her maiden LPGA title last month.
“A lot of it is putting. I started to get some confidence in the Asian Swing, and since then I’ve been able to keep it going. I’m starting to hit the ball extremely well, and I’m just starting to feel really good about my game and myself and trying to keep it going.
“I was starting to get confidence with the putter but also starting to get confidence with myself and my game and just going and being me and relaxed is all I need to do.
“I think I’ve just been able to keep my feels even in the off-weeks. I’ve actually been impressed with myself that I’ve been able to keep it going because it’s not easy when you’ve got to go home.”
It was also a good day for Khang, who was one of the co-leaders at the 36-hole mark in Scotland, as she produced a bogey-free round of 69 (-3).
The Solheim Cup star had a steady front nine but got going on the back nine with birdies on the 12th, 14th and 17th to keep herself in contention.
“The front nine was just staying patient out there and playing with Charley [Hull] and Minjee [Lee] is always a good time,” said Khang.
“I just had to stay within myself to give myself a few good chances on the front, didn’t get lucky enough for them to drop, but I had good par saves to keep me in it, and on the back nine, I made some putts in my favour.
“The plan is the same thing as today was, to just stay patient out there. Putts will drop and just make the most of it, but to give myself the opportunities to hole birdies and when I have to get some up-and-downs when need be. It’s going to be what makes or breaks this tournament.”
Germany’s Esther Henseleit and England’s Charley Hull sit in a share of third place on nine-under-par after three days of action.
Henseleit was one of three players to produce a 66 (-6) and put herself into a good position ahead of the final day.
The two-time LET winner made four birdies on her front nine before adding another on the 10th and then rolling in her eagle putt on 14.
Her only dropped shot of the day was on the 16th but the Olympic silver medallist is only three strokes behind leader Coughlin with one round remaining.
“I played really well,” said the German. “I had a great front nine and then kept it going on the back nine. It was just a really solid day. I didn’t make many mistakes, I kept it pretty easy and simple and rolled in a few putts.
“[Yesterday] I just had a little meeting with the bunker, and everyone knows Scottish bunkers are no joke. It took me a little while to get out. I hit three shots in the bunker. It was a triple.
“I fought back great afterwards, especially the back nine was really good yesterday. I just try to enjoy the challenge of links golf with the wind and everything. I’m going to try to concentrate on my own game. Go shot-by-shot and I hope I can shoot a good score and we’ll see where we stand end of the day tomorrow.”
England’s Hull also had a steady day producing a round of 69 (-3) which included four birdies and one bogey.
“I played very solid today,” said the English star. “I was happy with how I played. It was quite cold out there, and we had a little bit of rain. It was a good, solid day and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.
“It’s always nice to see kids out there, they are out there having fun, and [I enjoy] inspiring the next generation and interacting with the crowd because it’s a bit of fun. It’s a fun sport, and I hope they enjoy it.”
Australia’s Minjee Lee sits in outright fifth place on eight-under-par with New Zealand’s Lydia Ko one shot further back.
Korea’s Jin Young Ko is in seventh on six-under-par with Sweden’s Lisa Pettersson and Japan’s Ayake Furue both on five-under.
Three players round out the top 10 including Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz, who also carded a 66 (-6) on day three.
The final round will begin at 8.38 am (local time) with the leading group teeing off at 10.50 am (local time) at Dundonald Links.
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