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South African Ashleigh Buhai is poised to claim back-to-back women’s Australian Open crowns after seizing command with a brilliant third-round showing in Sydney.
Key points:
Buhai holds a three-stroke lead after the third roundMinjee Lee moved to third on the leaderboard on 5-underHer brother Min Woo shares the lead in the men’s field
The defending champion pulled off a five-shot swing to open up a three-stroke lead over halfway pacesetter and former world number one Jiyai Shin with a course-record 5-under-par 67 on Saturday.
Australia’s world number five Minjee Lee roared back to life after a disappointing second round to also fire a new low mark of 67 and sit in outright third.
Alas, Lee will need to make up a seven-shot deficit on Buhai, who does not look like budging in her quest to become the first player since 2011 to successfully defend the title.
After starting the day two shots behind Shin, Buhai birdied the first four holes and collected another on the back nine to charge to 12-under for the tournament.
The 2022 British Open winner surged as Shin threw in a double-bogey at the fifth to offset two front-nine birdies and she suddenly found herself playing catch-up.
South Korean Shin, the 2013 women’s Australian Open champion, managed two late birdies to at least remain in touch entering championship Sunday.
Lee is not giving up either after rebounding from a deflating 75 on Friday to give herself a glimmer of hope and also keep the dream of an historic family double alive.
Brother Min Woo has again conjured some last-hole magic in the men’s tournament to remain on track to complete a golden summer after claiming the Australian PGA Championship last week.
The fan favourite produced a brilliant birdie at the 18th to send spectators into a frenzy.
His roller-coaster 1-under 70 was in stark contrast to his dazzling 64 on Friday.
But it was enough to move him to 13-under and a share of the lead with Japan’s in-form Rikuya Hoshino.
The co-leaders hold a one-shot buffer over Englishman Alex Fitzpatrick (66) and American Patrick Rodgers (68), while Australian Lucas Herbert is just two strokes off the pace in outright fifth after a moving-day 66.
Cameron Smith’s chances of winning the Australian Open for a first time look slim.
The 2022 British Open champion is in a tie for 25th at 6-under after a round of 69.
AAP
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