'I Fought And Gave Myself A Chance For Tomorrow' - Ewing Remains In Major Contention Despite Poor Third Round

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published 12 August 2023

Ally Ewing slumped to a three-over round of 75 as her lead at the AIG Women's Open evaporated in the third round, but the American remains defiant about her prospects of claiming a first Major title.

Ewing will start the final round on Sunday in fifth, two shots behind the leading pair of Charley Hull and Lilia Vu, after a frustrating round on Saturday. She started the day five shots clear, but had six bogeys in an error-strewn performance as her putter went cold, with the 30-year-old appearing to be tentative after three-putting the first on a windy day at Walton Heath.

Ewing assessed: "Obviously the situation was tough, coming out in pretty windy conditions. It took me a little bit longer than I would have liked to settle in. The nerves were obviously there but, at the same time, I was mentally in a good place to know that I was going to be presented with challenges.

"I didn't execute shots quite like I wanted to early on but I fought really hard today, and you know I'm teeing it up tomorrow (Sunday) with still a great chance to win this golf tournament."

After opening up with 68 and 66 to get to ten-under, Ewing had threatened to run away with the competition and the $1.35 million first prize. However, she was three-over at the turn in a display which was far from convincing.

This only seemed to encourage the chasing pack, with the likes of Hull and Vu shooting four-under and five-under respectively to get to nine-under. Yet Ewing says she will take heart from her gutsy back nine with three birdies and three bogeys to remain in the hunt for the Major.

She added: "I didn't lose any confidence other than I gritted my teeth when it wasn't great, and I still gave myself a chance to win this golf tournament. Certainly, would I like to go out free-spirited and shoot another 66? Yes. But the test was hard. And regardless of what the scores showed at the end of the day, I fought and gave myself a chance."

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James Nursey is a freelance contributor to Golf Monthly after spending over 20 years as a sports reporter in newspapers. During a 17-year career with the Daily Mirror, he covered mainly football but reported from The Open annually and also covered a Ryder Cup and three US Opens. He counts a pre-tournament exclusive with Justin Rose at Merion in 2013 as one of his most memorable as the Englishman went on to win his first Major and later repeated much of the interview in his winner’s speech. Now, after choosing to leave full-time work in newspapers, James, who is a keen single-figure player, is writing about golf more. His favourite track is the Old Course after attending St Andrews University but has since played mainly at Edgbaston, where he is on the honours board. He is an active member of the Association of Golf Writers and Press Golfing Society but his favourite round is playing the game with his children. James is currently playing: Driver: Ping G400 3 wood: Ping i20 Hybrid: Ping i20 Irons: Ping i500 4-SW Wedges: Ping Glide forged 50, 56 Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Ball: Titleist ProVI

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