More of the same

Lilia Vu will focus on taking one shot at a time at Walton Heath as she attempts to round off the best year of her career with a second major title.

Vu, who beat Angel Yin in a play-off in April to win the Chevron Championship, will head into the final round of the AIG Women’s Open tied for the lead with home favourite Charley Hull at nine-under.

A congested leaderboard also features Yin and Hyo Joo Kim at eight-under, 36-hole leader Ally Ewing at seven-under and Linn Grant a further shot back in sixth.

With so many players in contention for glory, Vu is determined to repeat the processes that served her so well as she carded a 67 in round three.

“It’s been since Chevron that I actually felt pretty decent about my game and where it’s at,” said Vu. “So I’m just going to do the same thing I did today, just focusing on tee shots and giving myself a good opportunity for birdies.

“Just do that tomorrow, not think too much about the wind. Because every time that happens, it just slips away from me.

“Today I knew it was going to be difficult and if I was able to post a good score I could move up pretty well. I changed my mindset to just playing one shot at a time. It’s the same thing every time, but when I actually do that, it turns out really well.”

Nerves are sure to be a factor for those near the top of the leaderboard, with so much at stake.

Yet Vu has already proven she can handle the heat in the final round of a major and the 25-year-old American – who came close to a remarkable hole-in-one at the par-4 10th on Saturday - feels ready to embrace the challenge.

“I think you're always nervous no matter what position you're in, because if you're leading, you kind of don't have the win yet,” said Vu. “You never really have it until the final round, 72nd hole and you're done with your putt.

“So I'm not going to be thinking too much about it. I'm just going to play my game.”

Vu’s 67 on day three was matched by Yin, who started her round with eight successive pars before charging up the leaderboard with six birdies in her next eight holes, offset by a solitary bogey on the 14th.

“Obviously the wind was a big challenge so I was very mindful of the wind and I didn’t force anything,” said Yin.

“Eight pars and then on the back nine I got a few birdies. I was hoping for a bogey-free round but I had that hole. But it was okay. I didn’t capitalise on the last two holes but that’s also okay.”

Yin intends to attack on the final day and predicts a day to remember for the large crowd at Walton Heath.

“I think I'm going to be aggressive. I'm not going to be conservative. I'm going to give it my all,” she added.

“I think you're going to see a lot of aggressive and good golf. It's going to be great for the fans. The turnout this week is unbelievable, and as a golfer, you're appreciative of all the fans who come out, especially when the weather is like this; it's not that great.

“Out here, supporting us as a whole, it's so amazing to see."