Shin storms into 5-shot lead at British Open

South Korea’s Shin Jiyai stormed into a five-shot halfway lead at the British Open at Royal Liverpool on Saturday as she eyed a second career triumph in the major. After all the wind problems that wiped out Friday’s play, the 2008 winner at Sunningdale took advantage of the warm, calmer conditions to add a flawless 64 to her opening 71. She led on nine under par 135 with another South Korean, and her playing partner, Park Inbee, the next best at four under following a 68. With 36 holes to be played on Sunday, Japan’s Mika Miyazato and Australia’s three-time winner, Karrie Webb, start in joint third on three under. They both shot 70. Shin, a former world No.1, missed a couple of months on Tour earlier in the year when she underwent a wrist operation, having had a piece of bone removed. But she then claimed her first title in over two years by defeating American Paula Creamer in a nine-hole play-off last Monday at the Kingsmill Championship on the LPGA Tour. She shot a nine under par 62 in the first round at Kingsmill, but she reckoned today’s 64 that started with a chip in for eagle and three straight birdies was even better. “I can’t believe I just did that,” was the 24-year-old’s reaction after halves of 31 and 33. “My goal this week was to shoot one under par every round. “But I made such a great start and I didn’t have any bogeys and I didn’t go in any bunkers so it was almost perfect.” “This Championship is so special to me. The win four years ago changed my life and I have lots of fans in England. I have so many good memories of playing over here. “I also love links golf. It is such a great test and this is definitely my favourite week of the season.” Mulroy cards 66 South Africa’s Garth Mulroy carded a six-under-par 66 to take a one-shot lead after the third round of the Italian Open on Saturday. Mulroy, sitting only one shot behind overnight leader Richard Bland, started with a birdie at the first and made up for a bogey at the fifth by reeling off three successive birdies in his outward nine. At the turn he birdied the 10th and 13th holes and finished with another birdie at the last. “I haven’t played so well this year. It would be a big thing to win on mainland Europe, especially with the purse here and the two-year exemption,” Mulroy  said.