2024 AIG Women's Open: Jiyai Shin looking for the treble

There is a reason why the third round of a tournament is called moving day, whether the movement is up or down the leaderboard. Friday had provided quite a quiet feel as far as the leaderboard was concerned, as Nelly Korda, Charley Hull and Lilia Vu had left their mark and stuck at or near the top after an early start.

The power grouping of Korda, Hull and Vu was split on Saturday as we moved into two-ball groupings. Whilst Hull was in the penultimate group with Ruoing Yin, Korda and Vu would tee off last. In the end, it was Korda, Hull and Yin who would move down the leaderboard and Vu would stay in second place and a move to the top came from one of the veterans of the women's game.

Jiyai Shin holds a one shot lead

Two-time AIG Women's Open Champion Jiyai Shin, is looking to roll back the years and pull on her experience of winning the Major in 2008 at Sunningdale and 2012 Royal Liverpool where she won by nine shots.

Following a strong third round performance, the Korean is poised to become the first player to win three AIG Women's Open, since the tournament was elevated to Major status in 2001.

Reflecting on her third round (67), which included seven birdies and five bogeys, Shin expressed a sense of relief and satisfaction. "Thank you, now I can relax," she said, after a round that tested her ability to manage the challenging conditions. Despite the tough wind, which often plagues players on links courses, Shin managed to stay composed and even found a way to make peace with the elements. "So you can see a lot of wind out there. So I try to be more friendly with the wind, and they are nice to me today," she said, attributing her success to adapting to the course’s challenges.

One of the highlights of Shin’s round came at the par-4 17th hole, where she executed a difficult shot with what looked like relative ease. Facing 205 yards to the pin, she opted for a 20-degree hybrid, mindful of her previous bogeys on the hole. "I want to make the green from the fairway," she explained, describing the tension of not being able to see the ball's final position due to her height. "I can hear a lot of clap but I couldn't see where they finished," she added, recounting the suspense that led to her eventual satisfaction upon seeing the ball’s proximity to the pin.

Shin making her third AIG Women's Open appearance at St Andrews

Shin's comfort with links golf is no accident; it’s built on years of experience. "This is my third time at St Andrews. That’s how much I played it, for so long," she said, emphasising how her familiarity with the course and its conditions has honed her skills. Even with a few mistakes, including two bogeys, Shin remained unfazed, maintaining her focus and confidence. "I think everyone can make one or two bogeys. So this is nothing. I just keep focused forward."

Shin's journey back to the forefront of the AIG Women's Open is particularly impressive given her decision in 2014 to step away from the LPGA Tour, despite having achieved her goals much earlier than anticipated. "After three, four years, I finish everything. So I couldn't find any next step," she admitted. Seeking a change, she moved to Japan, where she has since built a successful career, earning new fans along the way.

Defending Champion Lilia Vu in second place

Now Shin isn't likely to have it all her own way as there is only one shot separating her from defending Champion Lilia Vu and Nelly Korda is one further shot back at five-under-par after a disappointing three-over-par round dropped her down the leaderboard.

Vu, who had the most steady round of the leaders, was one under for her round after nine holes and although she had a bogey on 12 and a double on 13, she rallied with three birdies in her last five holes to sit on her own in second place at six-under-par.

The American is the first defending champion since Georgia Hall to make the cut and if she were to win, would that weigh heavy on her shoulders? "I don't think it weighs on my shoulders. I think I came into the week with a good mindset that it's a new week. Just going to show up the same way I do every single week. Trying to play my best and beat the golf course."

Korda looking for Major redemption

Second round leader Korda, who started the day with two bogeys rallied to be one-under-par for her round at the turn. The American wasn't able to build on the momentum with two further bogeys on 12 and 13, followed by a ball out of bounds on 16 which led to a double bogey, a bogey on 17 was only eased by a birdie on the last hole.

Whilst trying to glean some positives from what was a frustrating day for the World Number one, she talked about her thoughts heading into the final round, "I think it's going to be a tough day. I think the winds are going to be high. There could be rain, as well. I'm going to keep a positive attitude. Take it one shot at a time. I played really well the first two days, so I'm going to take that momentum into tomorrow."

Could Lydia Ko add a Major to her gold medal?

Lydia Ko is at four-under-par and looking for a Major title to add to her Olympic gold, plus Jenny Shin finds herself close to her first Major glory. As for home favourites, Charley Hull has a lot of work to do on Sunday if she wants to win with another frustrating round like Korda saw her drop to two-under-par and a share of tenth place, the same as leading amateur Lottie Woad who chipped in for eagle on 18.

It's not surprising that the third round leader remains cautious about predicting the outcome. When asked what a win would mean, Shin responded with humility, "I can tell you after. This is a little bit earlier." However, her focus remains unwavering as she prepares for the possibility of securing her third AIG Women’s Open title. "Now I can go back to the hotel to relax to prepare for tomorrow," she concluded.

With 64 worldwide wins to her name, Shin's legacy is already firmly established. But as she steps onto the course on Sunday, there’s no doubt she has her sights set on adding another chapter to her already impressive career.

Just 18 more holes round the iconic Old Course at St Andrews, one thing is for sure, it's set to be a momentous Major Sunday.

View the full AIG Women's Open leaderboard here.