Shibuno dominates Women & # 039; s Open

Shibuno is celebrating a little bird today at the Women & # 39; s British Open. Image: Getty

Minjee Lee leads the Australian contingent, but the little-known Japanese player Hanaka Shibuno is the one to catch on the last day of the AIG Women's British Open at Woburn in England.

Lee and Hannah Green both had good days in the third round, the world's number 4 had two birdies and two bogeys in her even-par 72 and Green, Australia's last great champion, rolled the ball well in her four-under par 68 which included a hole-out for eagle on the par-four 12th.

Lee is at five under par overall and Green at four under.

But they are both out of the race unless the runaway leader, the Japanese rookie Hanaka Shibuno, has a bad day in Woburn today.

Shibuno, twice a winner on the Japanese tour this year, but looking for her first ever win on the LPGA Tour, shot a brilliant third round 67 to catch up with Ashleigh Buhai in South Africa and race to a two-stroke lead on 14 -under par.

Buhai plays in the last group at 12-under while world Nr. 2 Sung Hyun Park is at 11-bottom and also in the mix.

Shibuno hit everything but one green and did an inward nine of 30, with six birdies, to take over control on the third day.

"I passed the professional golfer & # 39; s test in Japan last year and I really do not understand why I am doing so," said 20-year-old Shibuno afterwards.

Of the other Australians who remain in the field, Su Oh is on the same level and Sarah Kemp is on par.