Yamashita retains lead as Maguire fades in AIG Women’s Open

Miyu Yamashita of Japan acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the third round of the AIG Women's Open 2025 at Royal Porthcawl. Photo by Richard Heathcote/R&A/R&A via Getty Images

Leona Maguire’s slim title chances evaporated as Japan’s Miyu Yamashita saw her lead reduced to just one stroke heading into the final round of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl.

The Cavan star carded a three over 75 to share 59th on four over, making just one birdie against four bogeys in a 33-putt round.

It was also a tough day on the greens for the diminutive Japanese leader Yamashita as she three-putted three times and had 34 putts in a 74.

But she still celebrated her 24th birthday by holding onto the lead in blustery conditions and believes she has the game to get over the line on Sunday if she sticks to her methodical process.

“This is a huge tournament that I’ve wanted to win for a long time, being a major,” said Yamashita, who made a 40-footer for par at the 17th to keep her nose in front.

“But tomorrow, I can't think about that too much. I just need to take every shot as it comes, and that's how I'm going to get myself around the golf course tomorrow.”

The LPGA rookie leads by a shot on nine-under from major winner A Lim Kim of Korea, who shot 67 to get to eight-under, while a host of top players are within six shots of the lead.

American Andrea Lee also shot 67 to trail Yamashita by just two shots on seven under while England’s Charley Hull (66), Japanese duo Minami Katsu (65) and Rio Takeda (74), and American Solheim Cup star Megan Khang (68) are lurking just one stroke further back.

Former winner Georgia Hall is just five behind after a 68, while pre-championship favourite Lottie Woad is lurking in a seven-strong group just six shots behind after a third-round 71.

If it was a tough day for Maguire, it was also one to forget for Mark Power as he carded a three-over 74 to prop up the field on one over in the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by the R&A.

Scotland’s Daniel Young made nine birdies in a seven-under 64 to lead by four strokes from France’s Julien Quesne on 18 under.

On the Legends Tour, Belfast’s Damian Mooney goes into the final round of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship just four shots off the lead.

American Bo Van Pelt carded a four-under 68 at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen to lead by a shot from South Africa’s Darren Fichardt on two under.

But Mooney shot a solid 72 to share fifth place on two over.

On the PGA Tour, Seamus Power birdied his last two holes to card a one-under 69 in the third round of the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina

At five under par, he was tied for 36th on five under, 15 strokes behind Cam Young.

Young shot 65 to lead by five strokes from Nico Echavarria on 20 under In his quest for his maiden win.