Jiyai Shin fired a round of 67 (-5) to move to the top of the leaderboard on day three of the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews (Old Course).
The Korean opened with rounds of 71 (-1) on the first two days in Scotland but made a big move on Saturday to lead with a total of seven-under-par.
Shin, who won the 2008 and 2012 editions of this tournament, got off to a hot start with back-to-back birdies on the first two holes before dropping a shot on the third.
Three birdies on the trot on holes seven, eight and nine moved the 36-year-old into contention before she made another on the 12th hole.
There was another bogey on 14, but Shin soon finished in style with others faltering around her as she rolled in a final birdie on 17 to seal a round of five-under and move into first place.
“I played golf for a long time, this is my third time at St Andrews,” said Shin, who has 64 wins worldwide. “I have a lot of experience with links course and with not this tough wind, but I have a lot of good experience.
“That’s why I take all my skill today. The wind is nice to me today, and also, I made two bogeys today but I think everyone can make one or two bogeys. This is nothing. I just keep focused forward.
“I keep working hard. I have a lot of experience about how much [I need to] condition myself. I know myself very well now, even different condition, I can more handle by myself. That’s why I’m here. I’m still learning. I can go back to the hotel to relax to prepare for tomorrow.”
Defending champion Lilia Vu sits in outright second place just one shot behind Shin thanks to a birdie on the last.
The American carded a round of 71 (-1) which included five birdies, one double bogey, and two bogeys to be within touching distance with 18 holes left to play.
“The wheels were falling off in the middle of it,” said Vu. “I was getting anxious, but my caddie was able to give me words of encouragement that I’m playing well.
“It’s just a couple of bad breaks. I was able to birdie 16, and most importantly par 17, and then finish with a birdie 18 going into tomorrow.
“I don’t know much [about Jiyai] but I know whenever she shows up to a major tournament, she’s top 10. I’m so excited to play with her tomorrow and see her game.
“I think I came into the week with a good mindset that it’s a new week. Just going to show up the same way I do every single week. Trying to play my best and beat the golf course.”
World number one Nelly Korda, who led at the halfway stage, had a trickier day producing a round of 75 (+3) to slip down to third place on five-under-par.
The three-time LET winner had one double bogey and five bogeys on her scorecard alongside four birdies including one at the last to only be two shots behind leader Shin.
“It’s nice to finish with a birdie, but it wasn’t the best of days,” said Korda. “It was nice to see one roll in, it barely rolled in but after making two bogeys on the first two holes, it was nice to rebound with a birdie.
“With the double on 16 and bogey on 17, you want to finish on a good note. I was happy to see that one roll in. Hopefully, I can take that momentum into tomorrow.
“I think it’s going to be a tough day. I think the winds are going to be high. There could be rain, as well. I’m going to keep a positive attitude. Take it one shot at a time. I played really well the first two days, so I’m going to take that momentum into tomorrow.”
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Korea’s Jenny Shin are one shot further back in a share of fourth place at St Andrews.
Four players are in a tie for sixth with China’s Ruoning Yin, Korea’s Jinhee Im, Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul and American Alexa Pano all on three-under-par.
Six players are one shot further back in T10 including Germany’s Esther Henseleit, Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela, England’s Charley Hull and South Africa’s Casandra Alexander.
The final round will begin at 7.10 am (local time) with the leading group teeing off at 2.15 pm (local time) at the Old Course at St Andrews.
Follow all the action throughout the tournament on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook – #RaiseOurGame #AIGWO.
