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 stumbled in the third round at Royal Lytham and St Annes, setting up a dramatic final day. The American's steady 69, including a back-nine 33, propelled her to the top of the leaderboard as the South Korean's challenge unravelled.

Ryu's Third-Round Collapse

Ryu Hae-ran began the day with a four-shot lead and looked poised to claim a third consecutive major victory. However, her game fell apart starting at the 7th hole, where a wild drive found the railway line. That bogey triggered a run of four more bogeys on the 8th, 10th, 12th, and 14th, as she found bunker after bunker.

By the time she walked off the 18th green, Ryu had signed for a 76 and dropped to four under par, three shots behind Noh. The collapse was reminiscent of Adam Scott's infamous 2012 Open capitulation at the same venue, proving that Lytham punishes even the smallest mistake.

Noh's Links Masterclass

While Ryu faltered, Noh delivered a composed round, recovering from an early three-over start with four birdies on the back nine. Her putting was rock solid, and she credited a renewed focus on tempo for her turnaround. "It's just another round of golf out there tomorrow and I'm going to enjoy it," Noh said.

Noh's major record is modest, but her performance here has silenced doubters. She now holds a three-shot advantage over a chasing pack that includes Jeeno Thitikul, Lucy Li, Esther Henseleit, and Shiho Kuwaki, all tied at four under par.

Key Stats and Comparison

What to Expect in the Final Round

The final round at Royal Lytham promises high drama. Ryu will need to rediscover the form that won her two straight majors, while Noh must handle the pressure of leading a major for the first time. The chasing group is deep, and any mistake could be costly.

• Noh's advantage: Three-shot cushion and momentum from her back-nine surge.
• Ryu's challenge: Must overcome mental scars from Saturday's collapse.
• Dark horses: Thitikul and Li have the game to go low on Sunday.
• Course demand: Lytham's bunkers and wind will test every club in the bag.

Final Round Preview

All eyes will be on the final pairing of Noh and Ryu. Noh has never won a major, but her calm demeanor suggests she won't be overwhelmed. Ryu, meanwhile, has the experience of closing out majors, but her confidence may be shaken after such a dramatic reversal.

Expect fireworks as the leaders navigate the treacherous back nine. With the leaderboard so tight, a single birdie could swing the championship. Golf fans are in for a memorable Sunday at Lytham.

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