Phatlum leads England’s Hall by one at Royal Lytham

Bruced

Pornanong Phatlum may still be searching for her first LPGA victory, but she’s given herself a great chance of winning something even more special.

The 28-year-old from Khon Kaen Province in Thailand will take a one-shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

Phatlum started the day with a one-shot lead, and despite finding herself in unfamiliar territory at the top of a major leaderboard, she was able to keep her cool – and her lead – courtesy of a rock-solid three-under-par 69 for a 13-under-par total.

The job is far from done, however, and England’s Georgia Hall will certainly fancy her chances after staying just one stroke back courtesy of a 69 of her own.

Hall finished tied-third at last year’s British Open and may also feel the time has come for her to seize her maiden major title. The 22-year-old from Bournemouth produced a superb finish to her round with a birdie at the 18th to ensure she finished just one shot back.

South Korea’s So Yeon Ryu lies a further shot back after a superb 67, while the trio at 10 under – Sung Hyun Park, Mamiko Higa and Minjee Lee – can’t be ruled out either.

Neither Hall or Phatlum have a LPGA title to their name, let alone a major title, but they’ve given themselves a great chance of making history come Sunday.