Leona Maguire climbs to 10th spot at Women’s British Open

Irish amateur star cards 68 to move to seven under at Woburn

Irish amateur Leona Maguire fired herself up to 10th spot ahead of the final round of the Women's British Open at Woburn, a third round of four-under 68 moving her to seven under.

The 21-year-old, who will represent Ireland at the upcoming Olympics in Rio, carded five bogeys and just a single bogey to move up the leaderboard at the Marquess Course.

Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn opened up a two-shot lead at the top after a six-under-par 66 in the third round.

The 20-year-old, at 16 under, is closing in on the 19-under Women’s British Open record with 18 holes to play.

READ MORE

She extended her bogey-free run to 33 holes with four birdies in an impressive outward nine of 32 and a controlled 34, picking up two further shots, coming back, saw her overtake South Korea's Mirim Lee, who led after the first and second rounds.

Lee shot a 69, with just one bogey at the third, and is three clear of American Mo Martin, with Scotland's Catriona Matthew one further behind after struggling on the back nine to card a 71.

“I feel a lot more comfortable, especially today,” said Jutanugarn, who won three times in four weeks on the LPGA Tour in May after missing out on her first Major title two months earlier at the 2016 ANA Inspiration, having held a two-stroke lead with three holes remaining only to close with a trio of bogeys to finish fourth.

“I think I know how to play under pressure – I have to focus on and focus on what is under my control.”

Jutanugarn has a quirky pre-shot routine in which she makes herself smile before addressing the ball.

“I really want to try to be relaxed before each shot,” she told BBC Sport.

“I feel whatever it is to make me happy and the easy one is to smile.”