Noh in front, but Lytham keeps its guard up
Yealimi Noh has never led a major after 54 holes. She does now. A two-under 69 on Saturday moved the American to seven-under at Royal Lytham and St Annes, three shots clear of a crowded chase as the AIG Women’s Open heads into Sunday’s final round.
The number that frames her position is nine. That is how many players broke par in the third round, on a links that toughened as the wind rose. Noh mixed five birdies with three bogeys, including a wobble of three dropped shots in four holes, then answered with three straight birdies from the 9th. Composure, on a day that punished the impatient.
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A chasing pack led by a history-hunter
Five players share second on four-under, and one of them carries the storyline. Haeran Ryu has won the last two majors and is chasing a hat-trick that only three players have ever managed. The 36-hole leader signed for six bogeys on Saturday and slipped back, yet she sits only three off the lead and knows the course now.
Esther Henseleit earned the final pairing alongside Noh after a 67, the German climbing from level par to four-under. Lucy Li, Jeeno Thitikul and Shiho Kuwaki filled out the group at four-under, with Lottie Woad a shot further back and home favourite Charley Hull five off the pace at two-under.
Form, and a new driver, arriving on time
Noh’s career record offers little warning of this. One LPGA Tour title, the 2025 Founders Cup, and 14 missed cuts in majors since 2022. She credits a new driver used selectively this week, ranking eighth in driving distance and joint-second in putting average at 27 per round. Ayaka Furue posted the day’s best score, a six-under 65, proof that Lytham can still be taken apart when the swing holds.
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