South Korea’s Jenny Shin delivered a steady -1 to take a five shot lead into the final day as she seeks what would be her first win in over 10 years and her second LPGA title in 368 attempts.
Having slept on the lead for two nights, Shin had felt the nerves in her early holes…
“There were a few times today where I was looking down at the ball but I couldn’t see the ball. So hopefully I can just focus on the things that I focused on, every single shot this week, not get ahead of myself.
It’s really hard, though. I can’t stop thinking about it. Every shot, I’m like, oh, my God. So I’m going to try my best to stay present!”
What was not affected by her nerves was her ball striking…
“This is the best ball-striking I’ve ever had coming into The Scottish Open. I felt that during the practice round, as well, I was a lot less fearful over the ball compared to other years. So that has really helped my confidence. But yeah, confidence does wonders.”
On her set up change…
“It’s just my putter but that difference alone is quite big. So I have to be quite conscious every single putt. I feel like I’ve been doing a pretty decent job except for ten. By standing a bit taller, I feel a little bit more stable over the ball when it’s windy. Sometimes when I’m bent over, my arms, that was the idea. Yeah, it’s been working so far!”
After matching the low round of the day, Pajaree Anannarukarn climbed up the leaderboard into solo 2nd.
Anannarukarn hit the most greens out of all players in the field today, explaining…
“I think with the distance control, trying to get the feel and calculating the wind, I was paying attention and trying to do well. I think the past three days have been pretty good. I’ll try to keep that up.”
Anannarukarn talked about the crowds, and strong support despite the weather…
“I love coming here to be honest. I feel like the fans here really love the game. Even last year at the British Women’s Open at Porthcawl, it was brutal, but they showed up clapping and supporting us. It’s amazing to see, and I feel the energy, the love for the game, and a lot of passion. So I really like to see it and come back here.”
On this tournament first inspiring her love of links golf, back in 2021…
“The more you play, the better you learn, and I gain a lot of experience over the years coming back here and try to gain more experience. I’m still figuring out how to play the links, but it’s been fun.”
“The first time I was playing in the links was when I was 14, 15 years old, played the Junior Open and I found it very tough because I had never been on the links. I wanted to come back again and try to do better, and in this tournament in 2021, I learned a lot and gained experience, and when I was young, I was able to prepare better.”
Esther Henseleit successfully battled to stay up in the leading group, ending the day joint 3rd alongside Erika Hara on five under….
On a tough day…
“It’s been tough all week. And I feel like on those first two holes, I got a bit unlucky with my lies. Had to accept that bogey, and then played pretty good after. I didn’t really hit it very close today. So I didn’t have many birdie chances, but managed to get a couple on the back nine.”
Henseleit said of her performance under pressure…
“It’s really hard to press on this golf course, to be honest, just no matter if you want to take birdie or par, you have to hit the same shots because they are the only possible shots. So I don’t think my game plan really changed, I’m just trying to do my thing out there and hopefully tomorrow I can hit a few close, and make some putts.”
LPGA rookie, Erika Hara’s steady 71 has her well placed ahead of Sunday
Of her day…
“It was a very tough day, but I was able to get some birdies early on and I really enjoyed playing.I had an image of it being extremely difficult back in 2024, so I was nervous about coming back. But I’m very happy that I made the cut and am competing in a good position.
Adding her gratitude to tournament title sponsor ISPS…
“They have been a sponsor that has supported me since my rookie days in Japan. They have also given me various opportunities like exemptions, so I would be very happy if I could repay them with a good result. But first, I will just do my best.”
Hannah Darling is assured of winning the 2026 Jock McVicar Award as the only Scot having made the cut.
