Matthew leads Women's British Open golf

LANCASTER, England, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Catriona Matthew shot 1-under-par 71 Saturday and built a three-stroke lead through three rounds at the Women's British Open in Lancaster, England.

Matthew's 54-hole total, 4-under 212, leads Christina Kim, who made birdie at 18 for a matching 1-under 71 Saturday for a total of 1-under 215 through 54 holes.

"It was difficult out there," Matthew said. "I was trying to stay out of the bunkers and have a par putt on every green."

If she wins the tournament at the Royal Lytham and St. Annes Country Club, it will be her first major title.

After birdies at 10 and 13 Saturday, Matthew's lead grew to four shots.

Defending champion Jiyai Shin (68) vaulted into a tie for third place with last week's Evian Masters winner Ai Miyazato (70).

Both are even-par 216, and at 1-over 217, Mika Miyazato (69) and Song-Hee Kim (74) are tied for fifth.