BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Ariya Jutanugarn turned a three-shot deficit into a four-shot lead after shooting five-under-par 67 Saturday in the third round of the United States Women’s Open.
Jutanugarn, a 22-year-old from Thailand, started the third round behind Australia’s Sarah Jane Smith, but quickly gained ground, making two birdies on her first three holes.
Jutanugarn took the lead after Smith stumbled with back-to-back bogeys and then surged ahead with three straight birdies on the back nine. She was at 12-under 204 for the tournament.
Smith started the tournament with back-to-back 67s, but she shot a 74 in the third round and didn’t make a birdie to fall into second place.