Yealimi Noh Leads Women's Open by Three Shots After Ryu Stumbles 2026

Yealimi Noh leads the Women's Open by three shots after Ryu Hae-ran's dramatic third-round stumble at Royal Lytham and St Annes. The American carded a steady 69 while the South Korean's lead evaporated in a series of bogeys, setting up a thrilling final round.

Ryu's Collapse at Royal Lytham

Ryu Hae-ran entered Saturday with a four-shot lead and dreams of a third consecutive major victory. She extended that lead to four through four holes, looking unstoppable. But the links course, known for punishing mistakes, turned on her at the 7th tee.

A wild drive right toward the railway line led to a bogey, and the floodgates opened. Ryu dropped shots on the 8th, 10th, 12th, and 14th, finding bunkers and losing her rhythm. By the time she walked off the 18th green, she was three shots behind Noh, tied with four others at four under par.

What Went Wrong for Ryu?

Ryu's troubles began with her driving accuracy. She hit only 50% of fairways in the third round, leading to repeated recovery shots. Her putting, usually reliable, also failed her on several key par saves. The pressure of chasing history seemed to weigh on her as the round progressed.

This collapse echoes Adam Scott's 2012 Open Championship meltdown at the same venue, proving Lytham's unforgiving nature. For Ryu, the damage may be psychological as she tries to reset for Sunday.

Noh's Links Masterclass

Yealimi Noh, who started the day three shots back, played a composed round of golf. Despite a rocky start that saw her three over through six, she steadied herself with a brilliant inward nine of 33. Her putting was clutch, and her iron play was precise.

"It was a little bit of a rocky start," Noh said. "But my putting was solid after that and my shots too. I just settled into a better routine and focused on my tempo on the back nine." She finished with a 69, putting herself in pole position for her first major title.

Noh's Major Record: Surprising Leader

Noh's overall major record is not particularly impressive, making her lead a surprise. However, her ability to adapt to links conditions and stay patient under pressure has been key. She now has a three-shot cushion over a group that includes Jeeno Thitikul, Lucy Li, Esther Henseleit, and Shiho Kuwaki.

Final Round Preview: Who Can Catch Noh?

The chasing pack is tightly bunched at four under par, but each player faces a monumental task. Thitikul has the experience, Li has the firepower, and Henseleit has been consistent. Ryu, despite her stumble, remains a threat if she can rediscover her form.

Here's a comparison of the top contenders' third-round stats:

Key Takeaways from Round 3

• Yealimi Noh leads by three shots at 7-under par.
• Ryu Hae-ran's double-bogey on 7 triggered a collapse of five bogeys in six holes.
• Royal Lytham's bunkers and railway line continue to define the championship.
• Noh's back-nine 33 was the best of the day among leaders.
• Four players are tied for second at 4-under, setting up a wide-open final round.

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