Phatlum leads but Hall is ready to pounce at British Open
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
1 ahead, 1 round to go. Pornanong Phatlum has a Major victory in her sights #MasterTheElements #RWBO pic.twitter.com/8IQXZLgGH7
— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 4, 2018
After a stunning birdie down the final hole @georgiahall96 will head into the final round just one shot back looking for her maiden Major! #RWBO pic.twitter.com/N4CZ1Eb5F2
— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 4, 2018
When you go into a share for the lead at a Major @georgiahall96 makes 🐥at 6 #RWBO
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) August 4, 2018
What a way to finish for Madelene Sagstrom on 18 👏🏻 #MasterTheElements pic.twitter.com/CqEn5Gg0Vt
— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 4, 2018
Golf is a simple game sometimes, especially if you're a 2-time Major Champion.
Sung Hyun Park to -8#MovingDay #RWBO pic.twitter.com/0re642Q88I
— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 4, 2018
