Yealimi Noh opens three-shot lead as Women’s British Open heads for thrilling finish
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US player Yealimi Noh playing a shot from the 18th fairway on the third day of the 2026 Women’s British Open Golf Championships.
PHOTO: AFP
- Yealimi Noh leads the Women’s British Open by three shots after a strong third round of two-under 69, aiming for her first major title.
- Five players, including Shiho Kuwaki and Haeran Ryu, share second place at four under, keeping the competition tight.
- Lottie Woad and Charley Hull remain in contention, while former world number one Nelly Korda struggled to finish, setting up an exciting final round.
AI generated
LONDON – American Yealimi Noh moved to the brink of a breakthrough Major title after carding a two-under 69 to take a three-shot lead after the third round of the Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham on Aug 1.
She produced a composed display down the stretch, playing the back nine in three under par before closing with a par at the last to finish at seven-under 206 overall.
“I had a little bit of a rough start, a couple of bogeys on the front nine. Actually a chip-in par save on the second, which was nice,” Noh said.
“I just fell out of tempo a little bit and then got it together for the back nine, and it was really solid. Had some good par saves.”
The 25-year-old, who had not won a Major before this tournament, held a three-shot advantage ahead of the Aug 2 final round.
A group of five players were second on four under, including Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki and South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran, who both closed with pars despite difficult rounds.
Thailand’s world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, American Lucy Li and Germany’s Esther Henseleit were also three shots off the lead.
Li recorded one of the rounds of the day with a two-under 69, while Thitikul parred every hole on the back nine in a one-over 72.
Ryu, the overnight leader, endured a dramatic reversal.
The South Korean, who had won the previous two Majors of the year, briefly stretched her advantage to five shots after reaching nine under early in her round, but six bogeys saw her slump to a three-over 74 and fall back into the chasing pack.
Woad in contention
England’s Lottie Woad remained firmly in the hunt after a third-round 70 left her at three under overall, four shots behind Noh. Charley Hull, Minami Katsu, Chanettee Wannasaen and Ayaka Furue were another shot back at two under.
“Yeah, that back nine was playing very tough with that wind. Probably the strongest it’s been all week and playing long, so definitely pars were good on that,” Woad said.
“Then eventually knew that 16 would be a good chance and managed to capitalise on that.”
Hull also kept her hopes alive with a level-par round. Roared on by the home crowd, the Englishwoman produced a superb approach to the final green before settling for a closing par and a share of eighth place.
Noh’s surge contrasted sharply with a frustrating finish for former world No. 1 Nelly Korda.
The American birdied the 17th to climb the leaderboard before a wayward tee shot on the final hole led to a costly double-bogey six. Korda ended the day tied for 16th on even par, eight strokes behind the leader.
Singapore’s Shannon Tan, 22, was among seven others who also placed joint-16th after she carded an even-par 71. She had finished in the same position at the Evian Championship in France on July 12 to surpass her previous best result at a Major. REUTERS
