Jenny Shin kept a five-shot lead after Saturday’s third round of the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open, staying on 12 under par with one round left at Dundonald Links. The position puts her within reach of a first LPGA Tour win since the Texas Shootout more than 10 years ago.
Pajaree Anannarukarn on 5 under
Shin got there with a one-under-par 71, and she had led since the 18-hole mark. Pajaree Anannarukarn was the nearest challenger after a bogey-free 69 moved her from fourth to second, but she still finished five shots behind at five under par.
Lauren Coughlin at Dundee Links
Erika Hara shot 71 and Esther Henseleit shot 73 to end a further two shots back on five under par, while A Lim Kim sat fifth on three under par. Miyu Yamashita and Lauren Coughlin were another shot further behind, a reminder that the leaderboard had spread out behind Shin even with only one round remaining. Lauren Coughlin arrived as the 2024 champion, but she had not found the same separation from the pack on Saturday.
Jenny Shin on nerves
Shin said the round felt harder than the score suggested. “That was a very tough round, I was quite nervous for the first five holes, so I'm really glad that I was able to finish the day in red numbers. It was a pretty boring and nerve-wracking day at the same time,” she said.
She also described a brief lapse on the 10th hole after changing her setup because of the wind. “That was a bit of a hiccup on the 10th hole. I changed my setup this week because of all the wind, but out of habit I lined up the putt and reverted to my old setup. I shut the face. I knew what I was doing, so I was able to get back into it pretty easily.”
The part that will matter on Sunday is not just the margin. Shin admitted she had never led by five shots before and said she would practice before the final round so she was “not such a mess in the morning.” On a board where the closest pursuer was still five back, that kind of pre-round reset looks like the only sensible play.
“I think the key is definitely hitting the fairways and then giving myself opportunities to get on the green. I have a pretty decent short game, so I wasn't too worried when I did miss the green because I did it in the right spots,” she said. That is the practical edge now: protect the lead by keeping the ball in play, not by chasing anything flashy.
On Sunday, the final round was scheduled to be shown from midday on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports+.
