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 stunning third-round stumble at Royal Lytham and St Annes. The American’s steady 69, highlighted by a back-nine 33, turned a four-shot deficit into a commanding advantage as the South Korean’s challenge unraveled in spectacular fashion.

Ryu Hae-ran’s Third-Round Collapse

Ryu Hae-ran began the day with a four-shot lead and looked poised to claim her third major in as many starts. However, a wayward drive on the 7th hole triggered a disastrous run of bogeys on the 8th, 10th, 12th, and 14th. By the time she walked off the 18th green, Ryu had fallen to four under par, three shots behind Noh.

The South Korean’s stumble was reminiscent of Adam Scott’s infamous collapse at the same venue in the 2012 Open Championship, proving that Lytham’s treacherous terrain can break even the most composed players.

How the Leaderboard Shaped Up

Noh’s 69 lifted her to seven under par, with a group of five players tied at four under, including Jeeno Thitikul, Lucy Li, Esther Henseleit, and Shiho Kuwaki. Ryu now faces an uphill battle to recover in the final round.

Yealimi Noh’s Links Masterclass

Noh’s round was a tale of two nines. After starting three over through six holes, she found her rhythm with a string of birdies on the back nine. Her putting was the difference, as she sank crucial putts to maintain momentum and seize control of the tournament.

“It was a little bit of a rocky start,” said Noh. “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.”

What to Expect in the Final Round

The final round promises drama as Ryu seeks redemption and Noh aims for her first major title. With Lytham’s punishing bunkers and unpredictable winds, no lead is safe. Noh’s composure will be tested, but she remains confident: “It’s just another round of golf out there tomorrow and I’m going to enjoy it.”

• Key takeaway: Noh’s back-nine 33 was the round’s best, turning a deficit into a three-shot lead.
• Key takeaway: Ryu’s five bogeys in seven holes highlighted the difficulty of Lytham.
• Key takeaway: A five-way tie for second leaves the leaderboard wide open.
• Key takeaway: History shows collapses at Lytham are common, but recoveries are possible.

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