What happened on Saturday at the Ricoh Women’s British Open?

Has anyone ever won a major with a pink golf ball? Probably not, but Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum has the opportunity to do just that as she enters the final round of the Women’s British Open with a one-shot lead.

When you think of Thailand golfers, your mind goes to Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn. But it’s those two sisters that are spearheading a purple patch for golf in the Southeast Asian country, shown by Phatlum’s performance this week. If she gets the job done on Sunday, she’ll secure the sixth win of the LPGA season for a Thailand player, joining the Jutanugarns and Thidapa Suwannapura with wins already to their name.

The arrow-straight 28-year-old has made just one bogey in 54 holes, but it will be a whole different prospect in the final round, as a chasing pack, headlined by England’s Georgia Hall, will be looking to hunt her down.

Hall, the 22-year-old, put on an inspired putting performance on the front-nine to maintain her bogey-free streak and keep her firmly in contention. The first bogey eventually came at the 13th hole, but she fought back with birdies at the 15th, 16th and the 18th to sit just one shot adrift of the leader.

Behind the front two lie a bunch of world class major winners; So Yeon Ryu’s 67 was the round of the day and catapulted the Korean into contention, while her compatriot Sung Hyun Park – the KPMG PGA Championship winner – posted a 69 for a 10-under total, alongside Mamiko Higa and Minjee Lee.

Further behind, the likes of Brooke Henderson and Lydia Ko, and perhaps even Ariya Jutanugarn, have a chance if they can post an early low score tomorrow and wait to see if the front-runners falter.

The opening three majors of the year have all been fascinating, and it looks like we are in for another spectacle tomorrow at the famed Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Leaderboard

-13 Phatlum

-12 Hall

-11 Ryu

-10 S-H Park, Higa, M.Lee

Best quote

Georgia Hall:

It was so nice to see so many people supporting me and just hundreds and hundreds of people all cheering my name. It was so nice to have that backing behind me and hopefully I can give them something to cheer about tomorrow.

Best moments

Alex Perry

Editor

Alex is a Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.

Handicap: 14

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