BLUSTERY CONDITIONS NO MATCH FOR COUGHLIN

American Lauren Coughlin, who started the day in third place, delivered a perfect round of 66 in blustery conditions, which included six birdies and not a single blemish to sit alone at the top of the leaderboard on 12-under. US Solheim Cup star Megan Khang, also bogey free today, is a shot back in solo second with Olympic silver medallist Esther Henseleit, tied third alongside England’s Charley Hull at 9-under par. With no Scots making the cut, Charley Hull gave the home fans plenty to cheer about as the leading Brit birdied the 18th to move within three shots of leader, Coughlin. Minjee Lee, who led over the first two days, sits on -8 after finding the burn on the 18th, ending her round at level par and in 5th place.

Ahead of the AIG Women’s Open next week, please note that one spot is available for the 2024 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open Champion and the leading three players not otherwise exempt, who made the cut at Dundonald Links this week. (Ties are based on their Rolex Ranking at start of tournament.)

Lauren Coughlin, who won her first LPGA title last month on what was her 103rd LPGA start, explained what has changed in her game…

“I think a lot of it is putting. I started to get some confidence in the Asian Swing, and since then I’ve been able to keep it going. I’m starting to hit the ball extremely well, and yeah, I’m just starting to feel really good about my game and myself and trying to keep it going.  I was starting to get confidence with the putter but starting to get confidence with myself and my game and just going and being me and relaxed is all I need to do.”

Megan Khang on staying patient til her round got going on the back nine…

“Yeah, the front nine was kind of just stay patient out there, and playing with Charley and Minjee is always a good time. Just had to stay within myself to give myself a few good chances on the front, didn’t get lucky enough for them to drop. But had good par saves to keep me in it, and on the back nine, made some putts in my favour.”

Charley Hull on her day and looking forward to tomorrow…

“Yeah, played very solid today. I was happy with how I played. It was quite cold out there, and we had a little bit of rain. But no, it was a good, solid day and looking forward to tomorrow.

Yeah, it was great fun. I loved it. Really looking forward to tomorrow because my boyfriend will be up here. He flies up tomorrow morning. So I’m buzzing.”

Esther Henseleit on her approach today and ahead of tomorrow…

“I just tried to enjoy the challenge of links golf with wind and everything.

I’m going to try to concentrate on my own game. Go shot-by-shot and yeah, in the end, I hope I can shoot a good score and we’ll see where we stand end of the day tomorrow.”

Minjee Lee shared her thoughts on her round…

“It was kind of up-and-down. You know, I just weren’t as sharp on the back nine. I mean, I started pretty good. You know, I made two birdies in the first three holes, so I think I just didn’t carry on the momentum. A couple of the putts just missed the holes, and it was pretty close to going in. So I think with links golf, sometimes it is what it is and sometimes you just have to take it on the chin. I was just telling myself just then, overall, it didn’t feel too bad but I think the score kind of didn’t really reflect how I felt — how I feel. So yeah, hopefully tomorrow I can get a bit more momentum going and make a couple more birdies during like the middle section.”

Lydia Ko on how she will prepare for the final round…

“Honestly just the same as the other days. Just hit a couple balls and a few putts. Just kind of get out of the cold. I don’t think there’s a huge point in hitting a lot of balls, especially in the wind. So just kind of getting my feels and just keeping it simple. My husband came in, so excited to see him.”