Miyu Yamashita takes slim lead into final round of the Women's British Open

Straits Times

2 days ago

Leader Miyu Yamashita of Japan walking from the 18th green after putting out on day three of the Women's British Open golf championship at Royal Porthcawl in south Wales on August 2, 2025.
Porthcawl – Miyu Yamashita of Japan maintained her lead through three rounds of the Women's British Open, despite stumbling to a two-over 74 on Aug 2 at Royal Porthcawl, Wales.
After holding a three-shot lead through the midway point of the tournament, Yamashita was at nine-under through three rounds as her advantage was narrowed to a single shot heading into the final round on Aug 3, which ended after press time.
'I think one of the main things is not missing in the wrong spots,' said Yamashita, whose best finish in a Major was a tie for second at the 2024 Women's PGA Championship.
'Because I'm able to do that, that means I don't put myself in awkward positions and helps me not make those bogeys which can cost you so much at these championships.'
Kim A-lim moved into second place at eight under after a five-under 67 in the third round following a nine-hole stretch when she compiled four birdies. Andrea Lee of the United States also shot a five-under 67 on Aug 2 and was alone in third place at seven under.
'So honestly I'm not focused on the leader,' Kim said. 'I focus on my process and my shot and then my position. That's all.'
A group of four tied for fourth place at six under included Japan's Minami Katsu and Rio Takeda, England's Charley Hull and American Megan Khang.
Yamashita breezed to a seven-under 65 in the second round to move into the lead but struggled to find that form on Aug 2. She was one over on the front nine with a bogey and eight pars. She was one over again on an eventful back nine that included three bogeys and two birdies.
Yamashita was even par for the round through 13 holes until she recorded a pair of bogey fives at No. 14 and 16.
'I'll be just looking at what went wrong and what went right and analysing the day and make the improvements that hopefully will lead to a better round (on Aug 3),' Yamashita said.
Yamashita and Takeda, who was alone in second place through two rounds, were the only members of the top 10 on the leaderboard to shoot over par on Aug 2. Takeda, who was Yamashita's playing partner, also was two over.
Katsu had the low round of the day at seven-under 65 to put herself into contention by moving up 31 spots on the leaderboard. She got off to a slow start with a pair of bogeys on the first two holes before going on a red-hot run.
Starting with a birdie three at No. 4, Katsu was nine under over her final 15 holes in a stretch that included an eagle three at No. 6.
'Made two bogeys on the first three holes, but after that I was really focused on my swing,' Katsu said. 'I just had a really good image of my swing, and I kept that going, and here I am.'
World No. 1 Nelly Korda stumbled to a two-under 74 to leave her at even par for the tournament in a tie for 36th place.
England's Lottie Woad, who turned pro last week then won the Women's Scottish Open, shot a one-under 71 and is at three under for the weekend to sit in a seven- way tie for 11th place.
Defending champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand shot a two-under 70 and was tied for 36th at even par.
Singapore's Shannon Tan tumbled down the standings from tied-35th to joint-67th after a third-round six-over 78 to sit at seven-over 223 – no thanks to five bogeys, one double-bogey and a sole birdie. REUTERS