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Minjee Lee ready for British Open charge

3 minute read

Australian golf star Minjee Lee is right in contention, sharing second spot entering the final round of women's British Open at Royal Troon.

MINJEE LEE of Australia.
MINJEE LEE of Australia. Picture: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images

Minjee Lee is hoping the wind blows hard as she hunts down her maiden career major in the final round of the women's British Open at Royal Troon.

Australia's world No.8 has positioned herself nicely for a championship charge after surging into a share of second spot with an impressive third-round two-under-par 69.

Lee is three shots behind German world No.304 Sophia Popov, with Thailand's Jasmine Suwannapura the only other player in red figures after a gruelling week on the famous Scottish links layout.

The Perth star could have been even closer to the lead had a series of putts not shaved the hole on Sunday AEST.

"A couple of them were probably out of range. A couple of them would probably have been lucky to go in but when I saw it like lip-out, I was like, oh, I wish it went in," Lee said.

"But hopefully I have a couple more chances tomorrow to get them back."

"I'm feeling pretty good. A couple shots behind at the end of the day so I feel like I can maybe play a little bit more aggressively if the wind doesn't blow as much, and maybe I can hole a couple putts out there."

But, if she had her way, Lee would prefer tougher conditions for the championship round.

"My ideal weather, probably maybe something like the first or the second day," she said.

"I mean, I feel like a challenge is good but it's probably going to be a little less wind but, either way, I didn't think my game plan is going to change."

The 24-year-old isn't the only Australian in the mix.

Katherine Kirk surged into a tie for 10th at three over after matching Popov's low round of the day, a four-under 67.

Kirk collected five birdies and dropped her only shot on the par-3 17th hole.

Hannah Green (73) is tied 33rd at seven over, while Sarah Jane Smith (72) shares 53rd place.

After briefly leading the Open on debut early on, Sydney teenage amateur Steph Kyriacou has faded out of contention over the past 27 holes.

Her third-round 78 left Kyriacou in 73rd position at 16 over for the tournament.

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