WOBURN, England -- Ariya Jutanugarn took the Women's British Open lead Saturday at tree-lined Woburn, nearly four months after blowing a late lead in the first major championship of the year.
In early April in the ANA Inspiration in the California desert, Jutanugarn -- at the time, best known for blowing a two-stroke lead with a closing triple bogey in the 2013 LPGA Thailand -- bogeyed the final three holes to hand the title to Lydia Ko.
"I really get nervous, especially being my first time leading," the 20-year-old Thai player said that afternoon at Rancho Mirage. "I got a lot of experience from this week."
She put the hard lessons to use in May, winning three consecutive events to become the LPGA Tour's first Thai champion. And Saturday, she shot a bogey-free 6-under 66 to pull two strokes ahead of Mirim Lee.
"I feel a lot more comfortable," Jutanugarn said Saturday. "Like especially today, because I didn't hit my irons good, but I still made some birdies."
Jutanugarn birdied six of the first 14 holes and closed with four pars to reach 16-under 200 and break the tournament's 54-hole scoring record. She chipped in from 90 feet for birdie on No. 8 and made a 30-footer on 10 on the Marquess Course, the hilly, forest layout that is a big change from the usual seaside links.
Lee shot a 69. The South Korean player led after each of the first two rounds, opening with a 62 and shooting a 71 Friday.
"Everything was OK. Just OK, not perfect," Lee said.
Mo Martin was third at 11 under after a 69. The American won the 2014 tournament at Royal Birkdale.
Scotland's Catriona Matthew, at 46 trying to become the oldest major champion, had a 71 to move into fourth at 10 under. She played alongside Jutanugarn.
"If she keeps playing like she keeps playing, she's going to be tough to catch," Matthew said. "But go out tomorrow and try to make as many birdies as I can."
The top-ranked Ko was tied for 27th at 3 under after a 69. She closed with a double bogey after birdieing five of the previous seven holes.
"I just had a toffee. Sugar always helps the feelings," Ko joked. "But I know that I still played solid out there. It's not the greatest finish to finish with a bogey or a double. I've just got to get over it."
Stacy Lewis (Arkansas Razorbacks) was 9 under after a 70. She won at St. Andrews in 2013.
"A little bit of a mess today," said Lewis, who is in fifth place. "Just a few too many mistakes."
Gaby Lopez (Razorbacks) was tied for 40th at 2 under after a 73.
Charley Hull, the English star playing on her home course, was 2 under after a 75.
"I felt like I played pretty decent, just didn't hole any putts," Hull said.
Jutanugarn broke the 54-hole record of 201 set by Caroline Masson in 2011 at Carnoustie. The 72-hole mark is 269 by Karen Stupples in 2004 at Sunningdale.
To relax, the Thai player smiles as part of her pre-shot routine.
"I really want to try to be relaxed before the shot," said Jutanugarn, in position to jump from sixth to third in the world ranking with a victory.
She hoped to be smiling later today.
"I think it's no pressure for me because the only thing I want to do is have fun," Jutanugarn said. "So one more day, I want to have fun."
Sports on 07/31/2016