Noh takes three-shot lead into final round of Women's British Open

Noh seizes control at Royal Lytham

Yealimi Noh moved to the brink of a maiden major title by closing a composed third-round 69 at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Saturday's play, reaching seven-under 206 and taking a three-shot advantage into Sunday's final round of the AIG Women's Open. The 25-year-old American bogeyed three of her opening seven holes but steadied with four birdies on the back nine — at the 9th, 10th, 11th and 16th — before closing with a par at the last. "It's just another round of golf out there tomorrow and I'm going to enjoy it," Noh said.

Ryu Hae-ran's three-peat bid falters

Overnight leader Ryu Hae-ran of South Korea fell into a five-way tie for second at four-under 209 after a three-over 74 on Saturday. The world No. 3 briefly stretched her lead to five shots after reaching nine-under through six holes, but five bogeys over the next eight holes — with several tee shots finding bunkers — erased the cushion. Ryu remains in pursuit of becoming the first LPGA player since Park In-bee in 2013 to win three consecutive majors in a single season and just the fifth player to win three majors in one year, joining Park, Pat Bradley (1986), Mickey Wright (1961) and Babe Zaharias (1950). "Just a tough day today. I already know I have won (two majors) so it is not too stressful," Ryu said, adding with a laugh that her game plan for Sunday was simply "no bunker."

Chasing pack tightens behind the leader

Joining Ryu at four-under were Japan's Shiho Kuwaki, world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, American Lucy Li and Germany's Esther Henseleit. Li produced one of the rounds of the day at two-under 69, while Thitikul parred every hole on the back nine in a 72. England's amateur Lottie Woad kept her challenge alive with a 70 that left her three-under and four shots back, with Charley Hull, Minami Katsu, Chanettee Wannasaen and Ayaka Furue another stroke further back at two-under. Reports differed on World No. 1 Nelly Korda's finishing standing: Fox Sports placed her at one-over for the tournament, while AAP reported even par and a tie for 17th, seven strokes behind Noh — in either case, her bid for a third major of 2026 looked over after a 73 that included a double-bogey at the last following a birdie at the 17th. Sunday pairings send Noh off with Henseleit in the last group, with Thitikul and Li in the penultimate group and Ryu playing alongside Kuwaki.

Ko's viral moment and Australian hopes fade

The round's viral moment came from New Zealand's Lydia Ko, whose drive took a wild bounce back into the gallery and finished inside a spectator's coat — a sequence compared to Rory McIlroy's drive that landed in a fan's pocket at the 2014 Tour Championship. Australia's prospects dimmed as Robyn Choi carded a one-over 73 to sit tied for 16th at one-over for the tournament and eight shots off the lead; compatriot Hannah Green signed for a 72 to lie tied for 27th at three-over.