Californian Yealimi Noh saw herself winning Women's British Open, and she's on verge of major breatkthrough

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England — Yealimi Noh is a believer in the power of manifestation.

After missing three straight cuts, including two majors, leading into the AIG Women's British Open, the 25-year-old realized how useful visualization could be in a game as brutal as golf. The mental technique appeared to be a large contributor to a three-shot lead she has built going into the final round at Royal Lytham.

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"I had a really rough couple months; not even just missing cuts, but just not playing good golf or rounds," the native Northern Californian said after carding a 69 on Saturday at Royal Lytham to get to seven under par. "Thursday [67] this week, I was just really happy to shoot under par [and just really set me up for the week. I don't know, golf is just crazy. It's been making me realize it more and more. It only takes one round for your whole mindset and whole game to change."

It even changed mid-round after Noh went two-over through five holes, before two birdies mixed with a third front-nine bogey to make the turn at one under. Three straight birdies around the turn, and another at 16 have given Noh licence to begin manifesting a breakthrough major victory on Sunday.

"Yeah, I am [into manifestation]," Noh, whose best major result was third at the 2021 Evian, said. "Sometimes it's hard to be positive, especially with golf. It can be really tough. But manifestation is important, I think. I can do as much of that as I can, but we can't predict anything or force anything. So I think just it helps me be in a positive mindset."

Noh's perseverance, long-term and after an inauspicious start on Day 3, put the World No. 69 three shots clear of a share of second after a bizarre, two-hour stretch.

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Overnight leader Haeran Ryu, who was on cruise control chasing a third straight major victory, was leading by four shots but made five bogeys in eight holes from the seventh. Incredibly, Ryu, after parrng the last four holes to shoot 74, remains well in contention.

Ryu was four under alongside Esther Henseleit, World No.2 Jeeno Thitikul, American Lucy Li and Shiho Kuwaki.

"Just a tough day today," Ryu, winner of this year's Women's PGA and Evian Championship, said of her five dropped shots. "So I [still] have a little chance now. I keep calm and a little more lower, and no bunkers, and hopefully tomorrow it's doing [better] than today."

English star Lottie Woad (70) finished at three under while her compatriot Charley Hull remained in the mix at two under after a 71.

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They will all have their work cut out chasing Noh, who has shot under par each day despite swirling seaside winds and the brutal 168 bunkers at Royal Lytham.

Noh, a keen foodie, said she would spend Saturday night eating at a restaurant she'd researched before coming to England and picturing herself winning her first major on Sunday. She had missed the cut at the previous three Women's British Opens she played.

"I want to imagine it so I can manifest it," Noh said. "I don't know, it's just another round of golf tomorrow and hopefully it all goes well and I can do all the things after.

After five missed cuts in her past eight LPGA starts this year, Noh wasn't enjoying golf at any level. Her fiancé, Jackson Suh, a golf-obsessed former collegiate tennis player, helped her re-think her relationship with the sport.

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"Yeah, he's been the best supporter, my biggest supporter besides my parents," Noh said. "I really wouldn't be able to do anything without him, especially out on the golf course. He also plays golf and he's really good so he understands a lot of it.

"Last week [playing golf with him in Sahalee C.C. in Washington], I was able to relax more. He reminded me that golf could be fun. He's really helped me be in a good mindset for this week. Whether it's nice golf courses or just being at the [Women's British] Open. He's like, 'You're going to the Open, you're playing the Open? I'm, like, 'Yeah!' So just being more grateful for where I am and what I'm doing."

Suh did not manage to travel to England with Noh given he is playing in his own club championship at Snoqualmie Ridge in Seattle.

"He's supporting from overseas," Noh said. With an eight-hour time difference, he'll be waking up early to help his fiancée visualize that victory.

"He better be, I hope," Noh said, laughing.

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