Saturday at the AIG Women’s Open was anything but predictable. The seasoned Jiyai Shin, a two-time champion (2008, 2012), turned back the clock with a scintillating five-under-par 67, staking her claim as the outright leader at seven-under-par 209. It’s like watching a master artist paint with familiar strokes, effortlessly bringing the canvas to life.
Meanwhile, defending champion Lilia Vu wasn’t about to let Shin have all the fun. Vu carded a solid one-under-par 71, leaving her just a stroke behind at six-under-par 210. Close enough to make Shin sweat, but not quite enough to rattle her just yet.
The day, however, wasn’t as kind to overnight leader Nelly Korda. After two days of smooth sailing, the wheels came off with a three-over-par 75, dropping her to third at five-under-par 211.
It’s the kind of round that makes you wonder if she woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or perhaps the wrong time zone.
In the fourth-place clubhouse, Olympic champion Lydia Ko and Jenny Shin are both sitting pretty at four-under-par 212, proving that consistency is sometimes as good as a flashy scorecard.
Young Lottie Woad is leading the charge for the Smyth Salver as the top amateur, and she’s doing it with style.
Her eagle two on the 18th was nothing short of sensational, giving her a five-stroke lead in the amateur race and putting her just five shots behind Shin.
Woad’s 54-hole total of 214 isn’t just impressive; it’s record-breaking. She’s shattered the previous amateur record at St Andrews, set by Georgia Hall in 2013.
Now, let’s talk numbers because, as any good golfer knows, the stats tell a story all their own.
Shin’s 67 wasn’t just her best of the tournament; it was her lowest round in the AIG Women’s Open since her scorching 64 at Royal Liverpool in 2012. And guess what? That year, she went on to win. Is history repeating itself? We’ll see.
Here’s a little nugget to chew on: Seven of the last eight champions have either led or shared the lead going into the final round.
The only outlier? Georgia Hall in 2018, who was just one stroke off the pace after 54 holes before claiming the title. Shin’s got to be feeling pretty good about that stat.
The 17th hole turned into a monster today, playing to a stroke average of 4.66, making it the hardest hole not just of the day, but of the week. Anyone who’s ever stood on that tee box knows it’s where rounds go to die.
Finally, a shoutout to the bogey-free brigade: Albane Valenzuela (66), Pajaree Anannarukarn (68), Kristen Gillman (71), and Jenny Shin (70) all managed to keep the big numbers off their cards.
Valenzuela’s 66 tied Esther Henseleit for the round of the day, both vaulting from tied-60th to tied-10th. Talk about moving day!
As we head into the final round, the stage is set for a showdown of epic proportions.
Shin’s got the experience, Vu’s got the momentum, and Korda—well, she’s got a point to prove. Buckle up, folks, it’s going to be a wild ride.
