WOBURN, England — Ariya Jutanugarn took the Women’s British Open lead Saturday, nearly four months after blowing a late lead in the first major championship of the year.

“I think I know how to play under pressure,” the 20-year-old Thai player said. “I know like what I have to focus and the only thing I have to is like focus on what is under my control.”

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,” Jutanugarn said that day at Rancho Mirage. “I got a lot of experience from this week.”

She put the hard lessons to use in May, winning three straight 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. “Like especially today, because I didn’t hit my iron good but I still make some birdies.”

Advertisement

Jutanugarn birdied six of the first 14 holes and closed with four pars to reach 16-under 200 and break the tournament 54-hole scoring record. She chipped in from 90 feet for birdie on No. 8 and made a 30-footer on 10.

Lee shot a 69. The South Korean player led after each of the first two rounds, opening with a 62 and shooting a 71 on 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.

Catriona Matthew of Scotland, 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’s playing, she’s going to be tough to catch,” Matthew said. “But I’ll go out tomorrow and try to make as many birdies as I can.”

Advertisement

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 was 9 under after a 70. She won at St. Andrews in 2013.

“A little bit of a mess today,” the American said. “Just a few too many mistakes.”

Charley Hull, the English star playing on her home course, was tied for 40th at 2 under after a 75.

“I felt like I played pretty decent, just didn’t hole any putts,” Hull said.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.