Jutanugarn takes lead at British Open

Associated Press

WOBURN, ENGLAND

Ariya Jutanugarn took the Women’s British Open lead Saturday at tree-lined Woburn, nearly four months after blowing a late lead in the first major championship of the year.

“I think I know how to play under pressure,” the 20-year-old Thai player said. “I know like what I have to focus and the only thing I have to is like focus on what is under my control.”

In early April in the ANA Inspiration in the California desert, Jutanugarn — at the time, best known for blowing a two-stroke lead with a closing triple bogey in the 2013 LPGA Thailand — bogeyed the final three holes to hand the title to Lydia Ko.

“I really get nervous, especially being my first time leading,” Jutanugarn said that afternoon at Rancho Mirage. “I got a lot of experience from this week.”

She put the hard lessons to use in May, winning three straight events to become the LPGA Tour’s first Thai champion. And Saturday, she shot a bogey-free 6-under 66 to pull two strokes ahead of Mirim Lee.

“I feel a lot more comfortable,” Jutanugarn said. “Like especially today, because I didn’t hit my iron good, but I still make some birdies.”

Jutanugarn birdied six of the first 14 holes and closed with four pars to reach 16-under 200 and break the tournament 54-hole scoring record. She chipped in from 90 feet for birdie on No. 8 and made a 30-footer on 10 on the Marquess Course, the hilly, forest layout that is a big change from the usual seaside links.