Leona Maguire admitted her failure to get any momentum on the front nine proved fatal to her chances of making inroads on moving day in the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield.

The Co Cavan star made two birdies and two bogeys in a level par 71 to finish her day tied 19th on two-under, 12 strokes behind South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai, who shot an outstanding, seven-under 64 to take a five-shot lead into the final round.

Scores

“Yeah, the back nine was very tough,” said world number 22 Maguire, who left an eagle putt on the lip at the fifth before following eight straight pars with back-to-back bogeys at the 14th and 15th before picking up a late birdie four at the 17th.

“The wind really got up on the back nine. First six holes weren't bad. You had to kind of take advantage of those first six, and I gave myself a few chances and didn't really take advantage of them enough. Yeah, once we turned for the back nine, it was tough.”

Maguire was left to regret a missed eagle opportunity at the fifth and she never got any forward momentum.

“Right in the middle,” she said of a putt that stopped in the jaws. “I didn't really get any momentum all day, I'd say and that would have within a nice sort of boost on the fifth. Had a good save on seven, good save on eight.

“And 14, 15 were playing very tough. Nice to get the birdie on 17. Even with it being downwind, it's not an easy hole today. And 18 I hit 3-wood into 18 today. 18 is playing tough, back. We said this morning we would like to be past that pin on 18. That physically wasn't possible. So yeah, I mean, level par, it's all right. Would have been nice to be a few better, but yeah.

“The shot on 14 wasn't too bad. I kind of just left it out to the right. The shot on 15 wasn't great. But yeah, you have to try and take your pars on those holes and take your chances elsewhere, really.”

Buhai brilliantly produced the lowest round of the week to open up a five-stroke lead going into the final round.

The South African is on course for her first major title after a superb seven-under-par 64 for a commanding 14-under-par total of 199 – the second lowest 54-hole score in Championship history.

Buhai has three Ladies' European Tour victories to her name but her best finish in a major came in this Championship in 2019 when she finished fifth after leading through 36 holes.

The 33-year-old is now targeting her biggest win in the sport after a stunning six birdies in her opening ten holes took her clear of the field in East Lothian.

She even chipped in for another birdie from the back of the green at the par-5 17th before her only bogey of the day at the 18th.

Buhai’s efforts were all the more impressive given the afternoon scoring averaged two strokes higher in the windier conditions.

On nine-under-par, Hinako Shibuno – who denied Buhai to win the 2019 Championship at Woburn – and In Gee Chun lead the chasing pack at the renowned links.

Japan’s Shibuno posted a fine 66 on day three helped by four birdies on her back nine, while overnight leader Chun from Korea signed for a 70 to maintain her bid for a fourth major success.

Another Korean player, Inbee Park, and Swede Madelene Sagstrom are next best-placed on seven-under-par.

England’s Charley Hull is the leading Great Britain and Ireland player after she reached three-under-par thanks to a 69 that was highlighted with an eagle at the 17th.

The world number one ranked amateur Rose Zhang, who is set to win the Smyth Salver as the leading amateur making the cut, is tied for 29th after a 70 for a one-under-par total.

With Muirfield hosting the Championship for the first time, it proved a special morning for home club member Lindsey Garden. The former Scottish international enjoyed the honour of playing alongside Wales’ Lydia Hall as a marker in the first group out.