Australian duo Stephanie Kyriacou (-3) and Minjee Lee (-2) put themselves in with a chance of a stunning third straight major for the nation, sitting six and seven shots back from leader Miyu Yamashita (-9) heading into the final round of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales.
Playing alongside countrywoman and Evian Championship winner Grace Kim (+4), Lee fired the best third round among the Australians with a four-under par 68 to move into a share of 18th.
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The three-time major champion dropped just one shot for the day and made five birdies to give herself a chance to replicate her own slice of history.
When Lee won her first major crown at the Evian Championship four years ago, she was a record equalling seven shots off the lead at the start of the final round before climbing her way into an ultimately successful playoff.
Lee admits recreating such heroics is unlikely, but not completely off the table.
“I think tomorrow is going to be go as low as I can. I’m probably too far back,” Lee said.
BRIDGEND, WALES – AUGUST 02: Minjee Lee of Australia acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the third round of the AIG Women’s Open 2025 at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on August 02, 2025 in Bridgend, Wales. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
She added: “I had a nice day. I felt like I moved on moving day.
“Had a lot of really great looks out there. I feel like the short ones, I’m over reading them a little bit.
“It’s kind of tough, because you think the surface is not going to break but sometimes it really does break. It’s just the way links golf is.”
Minjee Lee almost hit by stray ball! | 00:22
Lee also suffered a mighty scare on the 17th tee when a wayward tee shot from fellow LPGA star Charley Hull almost hit her.
“I’m glad it bounced big because it flew straight over me,” Lee recalled.
“Some lady or man called out fore left, so I was like, oh, it’s not coming this way, but it came right over me. It was trying to take me out!”
Kyriacou is one shot better overall than Lee in a tie for 11th after he three-under par third round 69.
The 24-year-old from Sydney’s day was far less eventful than her second round that included a slam dunk hole-in-one at the par three eighth, and a hole-out for eagle from a bunker at the par 5 last.
But Kyriacou was far more consistent this time out, reaching the turn in 33 and only dropping one shot for the day, compared to a back nine streak of four straight bogey during the previous day’s round of 70.
“Yes, definitely not as exciting. I mean, it’s not a bad thing. Less bogeys on the card, which was a goal today,” she said.
“Yeah, haven’t really checked the leaderboard yet. I assume I moved up in this wind. Yeah, have another go tomorrow.”
Kyriacou has an impressive record on the British links, coming tied seventh at this event in 2022 and tied 13th the previous year in the infancy of her professional success.
She is hopeful she can exceed those finishes this time around despite knowing she will need something special.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I have to chase, foot on the gas,” Kyriacou said.
“Yeah, I think the same goals as the last couple days.
“I think I said this yesterday, but you just have to be brave and play with the elements out there.
“I did a good job of that today. Yeah, just do that again tomorrow.”
BRIDGEND, WALES – AUGUST 01: Stephanie Kyriacou of Australia putts on the second green during the second round of the AIG Women’s Open 2025 at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on August 01, 2025 in Bridgend, Wales. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Japan’s Yamashita faces a test of her temperament as she bids to win a first major title after her lead was reduced to one shot.
Yamashita, who was celebrating her 24th birthday, was three shots ahead going into the third round, nut having posted a bogey-free 65 on Friday, she carded a two-over par 74 following erratic driving off the tee and struggles on the greens.
“Today I’ll be just looking at what went wrong and what went right and analysing the day and make the improvements that hopefully will lead to a better round tomorrow,” said Yamashita, whose best finish at a major came when she tied for second place at last year’s Women’s PGA Championship.
“The winds are really strong so that’s something where club selection becomes quite difficult,” she added.
South Korea’s Kim A-lim posted a five-under 67 on Saturday to move to within a shot of Yamashita in second place.
Japan’s Miyu Yamashita walks from the 18th green after putting out on day three of the Women’s British Open Golf Championship, at Royal Porthcawl in south Wales on August 2, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USESource: AFP
Kim is bidding for her second major after winning the US Women’s Open in 2020 in Houston, when no spectators were present during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Honestly I’m not focused on the leader,” insisted Kim. “I focus on my process and my shot and then my position.”
Andrea Lee of the United States also shot a 67 and sits third. Meanwhile Japan’s Minami Katsu sank seven birdies and an eagle for a brilliant 65 to climb into a share of fourth place.
Katsu was joined on six under by England’s Charley Hull, who started the day on even par, 11 shots off the lead, before raising hopes of a British winner with seven birdies.
“I just kind of enjoy chasing,” said Hull, still without a major title after several runners-up finishes, including at the 2023 Women’s British Open. “It’s more fun that way.” World number one Nelly Korda is set to end the major championship season without a title after shooting 74 on Saturday and falling nine shots behind.
Tied 36th in a group also including New Zealand’s defending champion Lydia Ko, the American has now gone 13 tournament without a win and could lose her number one ranking to Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul depending on the outcome of Sunday’s final round.
