Charley Hull and Lilia Vu share the lead going into the final day of the AIG Women’s Open after an engrossing third round at Walton Heath.
American Ally Ewing led by five shots overnight but three bogeys in her first six holes in the breezy conditions allowed the rest of the field to close in and leave the Championship wide open.
Cheered on by the home fans, England’s Hull is chasing her first major title after three late birdies in a row from the 15th saw the 27-year-old post a four-under-par 68 for a nine-under total of 207.
It matched the total set by Vu, who recorded a superb 67, as the 25-year-old American looks to add a second major to her Chevron Championship success in April.
On a day when the lead changed hand on several occasions, American Angel Yin also signed for a 67 after six birdies in her last ten holes to reach eight-under-par. Yin, second at the Chevron Championship, is on the same mark as Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim after a 68.
EXCITING FINISH AT WALTON HEATH
The final round at the venue south of London is now set to produce an exciting finish with a host of international players in pursuit of the coveted title.
Ewing equalled the biggest lead after 36 holes and those who have previously held a five-shot advantage at the halfway stage, Emilee Klein (1996) and Jiyai Shin (2012), both went on to lift the trophy.
However, the Mississippi native dropped shots at the 1st, 5th and 6th in the toughest conditions of the week and then mixed three birdies with three further dropped shots as she posted a three-over 75 for a seven-under total to fall two strokes adrift.
Sweden’s Linn Grant is a shot further back on six-under, with world number one Nelly Korda still in the hunt inside the top ten at four-under, which was helped by a chip in for eagle at the par-5 11th.
WHO WILL IN THE SILVER SALVER
In the two-way battle for the Smyth Salver as leading amateur, England’s Charlotte Heath sits at three-over-par, two strokes ahead of Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez, going into the final day.
The AIG Women’s Open is showcasing women in sport, business and entertainment with fans attending this year’s Championship enjoying world-class golf, live music entertainment and a new festival fan village designed to generate a fun, vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
For the very first time, live music featured as part of a new, enhanced fan experience with global superstar Ellie Goulding performing a headline set tonight.
The AIG Women’s Open takes place until tomorrow (13 August) at Walton Heath, with tickets on sale via www.aigwomensopen.com.
View day three scores from the AIG Women’s Open here.