Women's British Open: In-Kyung Kim opens up six-stroke cushion

In-Kyung Kim bolstered her hopes of claiming a maiden major title by opening up a six-stroke lead at the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

Kim struck six birdies in a blemish-free 66 at Kingsbarns to extend her advantage over British hopeful Georgia Hall, whose challenge faded along the closing stretch.

The 21-year-old dropped three shots over the final three holes to card a two-under 70 and slip in to a share of second on 11-under alongside Moriya Jutanugarn, who mixed seven birdies with two bogeys.

Former world No 1. Inbee Park matched the round-of-the-week 64 earlier in the day to move to tied-fourth with Ally McDonald, while Stacy Lewis sits in sixth spot thanks to a seven-under 65.

Hall began the weekend two strokes off the pace and reduced the gap to one with a long-range birdie at the first, only for Kim to roll in from 10 feet at the next.

The Englishwoman bogeyed the third but drove the fifth green and converted a 10-foot eagle, as Kim nudge in for a birdie to stay two ahead.

Kim drained a 20-footer at the sixth and exchanged birdies with Hall at the par-four next, with the Korean reaching the turn four clear when Hall found rough and bogeyed the ninth.

Live LPGA Tour Golf

The lead briefly increased to six when Kim slotted home from 12 feet at the 11th and picked up another shot at the next, as Hall responded by birdieing her next three holes to halve the advantage.

Hall found a pot bunker with her approach in to the 16th and converted a long-range two-putt to leave with just a bogey, before a four-putt double-bogey on the penultimate hole restored Kim's cushion.

Jutanugarn, whose sister Ariya won last year's event, will be paired with Kim on Sunday after her third-round 67, while Park will go out in the penultimate group after her blemish-free card.

Mel Reid completed her 69 with a three-putt bogey at the last, with compatriot Jodi Ewart Shadoff also on eight under and first round leader Michelle Wie a further shot back.

A second successive 71 leaves Charley Hull 11 strokes off the pace, with world No 1. So Yeon Ryu in the group on four under following a four-under 68.

Watch the final round of the Ricoh Women's British Open live on Sky Sports Golf. Coverage begins on Sunday from 12.30pm.