21 August 2021, Carnoustie, Scotland: Two Scandinavian players head a star-studded leaderboard going into the final round of the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie.
Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and Nanna Koerstz Madsen from Denmark share the lead on nine-under-par after impressive rounds in challenging, wet conditions in Angus.
Nordqvist signed for a best-of-the-week score of seven-under-par 65 to surge through the international field, while Koerstz Madsen added a third-round 68 for her nine-under total.
Nordqvist was in sparkling form in her bogey-free round, which was kick-started with three birdies in a row from the sixth. The 34-year-old, who won the R&A Girls’ and Women’s Amateur championships in her amateur days, has enjoyed local support given her partner is Scot, Kevin McAlpine.
While Nordqvist is chasing a third major title, Koerstz Madsen, 26, is seeking the biggest win of her career and highlighted her round with an eagle at the par-5 12th.
The USA’s Yealimi Noh had reached 10-under-par only to drop four shots over Carnoustie’s demanding last three holes, meaning the consistent Lizette Salas is the nearest challenger to the top two after the American added a 70 for an eight-under-par total.
Four players are placed on seven-under-par, including Scottish amateur Louise Duncan as the 21-year-old Women’s Amateur champion continued her dream week after a superb 68. Nordqvist won the Smyth Salver as leading amateur at the championship in 2008, with Duncan in pole position for that honour as well as chasing the title itself.
World number 12 Lexi Thompson, Finland’s Sanna Nuutinen and Madelene Sagstrom from Sweden are also placed on seven-under-par, with world number one Nelly Korda, Brooke Henderson, Georgia Hall and the Jutanugarn sisters, Ariya and Moriya, among those threatening on six-under.
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