Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Hinako Shibuno overtook Ashleigh Buhai to lead the Women’s British Open by two shots entering the final round Sunday.

Shibuno, 20, shot a third-round and sits at 14-under and two shots ahead of Buhai, who held the lead after each of the first two rounds at Woburn Golf Club in Milton Keynes, England.

Making her LPGA Tour debut and first pro event outside of Japan, Shibuno is on the verge of claiming the final major championship of the season.

“It’s definitely exceeding my expectations,” said Shibuno. “I came in wanting to make the cut, so right now I feel like I’m doing something very incredible.”

Starting the day three back of Buhai, Shibuno had two bogeys and a birdie on the front nine. From there, she was unflappable.

Shibuno came in 6-under 30 on the back nine with birdies at 10, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 18 to wrap up the lead.

“I was pretty upset after the three-putt bogey on the ninth,” said Shibuno. “But after the second shot on the 10th hole, I was able to bring myself back.”

Buhai fell back with a three-putt bogey on the 12th hole and bogeyed two more on the way back in to finish at even par and 12-under through three rounds, one stroke better than Sung Hyun Park.

“I played my first nine holes probably the best ball-striking I could have had. Hit really good shots,” said Buhai. “Turned 2-under, birdied my 10th to go to 3-under and hit two poor wedge shots on 11 and 12, normally my strong point. Let the three-putt rattle me on No. 12. I’m still here, two shots behind going into the final round playing in the final group. If you told me at the beginning of the week, I would have taken it.”

–Field Level Media