Thai Siblings All Set for Final-Day Charge

Carnoustie, Scotland: Thailand’s Jutanugarn sisters, Ariya and Moriya, are poised to press for victory in the final round of the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie.

While Moriya maintained her challenge for glory with a one-under-par 71 in round three, Ariya surged into contention thanks to a 68 in wet conditions in Angus.

With 54-hole aggregates of six-under 210, the Thai siblings are in a share of eighth place, three strokes off the pace being jointly set by Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and Nanna Koerstz Madsen from Denmark.

Also on 210 is Korean Kim Sei-young, while Australian Su Oh and Japan’s Ayake Furue are a further stroke back in equal 15th.

Thais Patty Tavatanakit, Atthaya Thitikul, Wichanee Meechai and Pajaree Anannarukarn, Japan’s Hinako Shibuno and Australian Minjee Lee are among a large group at four-under 212.

Nordqvist signed for a best-of-the-week score of seven-under-par 65 to surge through the international field, while Koerstz Madsen added a third-round 68 for her nine-under total.

Nordqvist was in sparkling form in her bogey-free round, which was kick-started with three birdies in a row from the sixth. The 34-year-old, who won the R&A Girls’ and Women’s Amateur championships in her amateur days, has enjoyed local support given her partner is Scot, Kevin McAlpine.

While Nordqvist is chasing a third Major title, Koerstz Madsen, 26, is seeking the biggest win of her career and highlighted her round with an eagle at the par-five 12th.

Noh Yealimi had reached 10-under-par only to drop four shots over Carnoustie’s demanding last three holes, meaning the consistent Lizette Salas is the nearest challenger to the top two after the American added a 70 for an eight-under-par total.

Among four players on seven-under are Scottish amateur Louise Duncan. The 21-year-old Women’s Amateur champion continued her dream week after a superb 68. Nordqvist won the Smyth Salver as leading amateur at the championship in 2008, with Duncan in pole position for that honour as well as chasing the title itself.