Cavan’s Leona Maguire posted her first over-par round of the week on day three of the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links on Saturday as the 31-year-old remains in T11 heading into the final round.
Saturday’s conditions proved to be the most difficult so far as wind and rain bellowed around the Gailes in Ayrshire, making the links course even more unforgivable, so Maguire can be happy to not let the round get away from herself as she posted a respectable one-over-par 73.
Maguire made bogey at the fourth and fifth before getting one back from the course with a birdie at the par-4 seventh. A bogey at the ninth meant that Maguire took the turn at two-over. On the back nine, the only hole that wasn’t parred was the par-4 12th as Maguire made her second birdie to get to +1.
Maguire’s 73 sees that she holds the T11 spot with a score of one-over. Considering the lowest round of the day was a three-under-par 69, the two-time LPGA winner’s battling spirit keeps the top-10 finish door open.
Korea’s Jenny Shin has all but wrapped it up at the top of the leaderboard as a one-under-par round three sees that she holds onto her five stroke lead heading into Sunday’s final round. The harsher conditions made scoring much more difficult – the 33-year-old who has been making birdies for fun made just two on Saturday. Shin leads with a score of 12-under.
“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.
“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,” she added.
Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn occupies second place at seven-under heading into Sunday. The 27-year-old posted one of the lowest rounds, a four-under 69, to jump two places.
The LET winner rolled in birdies on the third, 12th and 17th holes to post a bogey free round and 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,” said Anannarukarn.
“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,” she added.
Erika Hara and Esther Henselheit sit third, two strokes back from Anannarukarn at five-under.
Solheim Cup star Henseleit said: 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 Kim A-Lim is in fifth place on three-under-par with Japan’s Miyu Yamashita and 2024 champion Lauren Coughlin one shot further back.