MIAMI (AFP) – Ariya Jutanugarn stormed up the leaderboard, shooting a five-under 67 to vault into a four-stroke lead after the third round Saturday at the US Women’s Open.
The 22-year-old Thailand native charged into the final turn of the major championship event, putting some distance between herself and the rest of the field at the soggy Shoal Creek, Alabama course.
Former world number one Ariya roared past second round leader Sarah Jane Smith to finish with a 12-under 204 total as the tournament got back on schedule after heavy rains and lightning earlier this week resulted in a number of delays.
Ariya was among 78 players who got up at the break of dawn to return to the course early Saturday to complete their rain-hit second rounds.