Jiyai Shin fired a five under 67 to move to the top of the leaderboard on day three of the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews.
The Korean opened with rounds of 71 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, although not this tough wind, but I have a lot of experience.’’
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 71, which included five birdies, one double bogey, and two bogeys to be within touching distance with 18 holes left to play.
World number one Nelly Korda, who led at the halfway stage, had a trickier day slipping to a three over 75 to drop 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.
Four players are in a tie for sixth with Ruoning Yin, Jinhee Im, Jeeno Thitikul and Alexa Pano all on three-under-par.
Six players are one shot further back in T10 including Esther Henseleit, Albane Valenzuela, Charley Hull and Casandra Alexander.