Jenny Shin took a five-stroke lead at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open on Friday as Lottie Woad, Charley Hull and Nelly Korda struggled again in the windy conditions at Dundonald Links.
Lauren Coughlin, who tied for the lead with Rookie of the Year at 6 under par, also performed poorly in the previous 9 holes by recording 2 over par, then returned to the clubhouse with level par and rose to 4 under par through 36 holes.
Despite a sluggish start, Shin, who recorded a bogey in the first round, capitalized on the incredible momentum of her opening round 66 and shot a 5-under-par 67, taking second place at 11 under par, five strokes behind second-place Esther Henseleit.
Shin said he has never had a lead of five strokes in his career.
Shin said, “I tried really hard not to hit a 3-putt, which was almost equivalent to the 66 in the first round.”
“I’ve never had a five-shot lead before,” she added. “I’ll try to be patient over the next two days. It’s links golf.”
Henselrate, who started from the 9th hole, rose to sole second place after catching birdies on the 16th and 17th holes, and recorded an eagle at par 5/3, recording 6 under par through 36 holes.
The cut line was set at 6 over par, and Hull endured an indifferent opening round, shot 78, and then crept under the cut line into the second round.
Nelly Korda (left) and Charley Hull (right) both struggled in the third round.
The British golfer booked his spot for the weekend with a mix of four birdies and three bogeys for a 1-under-par 71, moving him to 5-over par for all 36 holes.
Her good friend and compatriot Georgia Hall failed to recover her score of 10 over par on the first day, and after recording 6 bogeys and 2 birdies on the second day, she fell to 14 over par and missed the cut.
Ward has improved but is struggling with the putter.
Woad had a much improved second day at Dundonald Links after overcoming a bumpy start to move to 2 over par in the first round.
He committed a double bogey on the 22nd hole (12th hole) and countered with consecutive birdies on the 14th and 15th holes. He then added a bogey on the 16th hole and recorded a birdie on the 17th hole.
“It was pretty windy at first,” said Woad, the defending champion. “I had a double early, so I dropped a double there, and the rest of the day I hit some really nice iron shots from the fairways and greens.
Rod made a turn at 2 over par, and added two birdies on the 3rd and 5th holes to get back to level par.
Lottie Woad struggled with her putter in the third round.
“To be honest, I didn’t really make any putts,” she added. “I could have played better, but I’m much happier playing today than yesterday.”
World No. 1 Nelly Korda started the day with par but fell to 4 over par by the end of the second round. Korda, who started from the 9th hole in the second half, advanced from 2 under par to the 6th hole, made a bogey on the 16th hole, and then made a double bogey on the 17th hole.
The four-time major champion made a birdie on the 5th hole, but made 4 consecutive bogeys in the last 4 holes, shooting a 76 in the second round and advancing to 4 over par.
Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist tumbled down the leaderboard after Korda started the tournament with a 2-under par in the first round. On Friday, Nordqvist shot a 7-over 79 to fall to 5-over par through 36 holes.
Watch the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open Third Round LIVE on Sky Sports Golf from 7.30am on Saturday. Access Sky Sports or stream golf without a contract
