Miyu Yamashita marked her 24th birthday with determination rather than celebration as she clung to a narrow lead at the Women’s Open, despite a turbulent third round at Royal Porthcawl on Saturday. The Japanese star, who had dazzled with a stellar 65 on Friday to claim a three-shot advantage, struggled to maintain her momentum, carding a two-over-par 74.

Yamashita’s day was riddled with inconsistencies as gusty winds and nerves appeared to take their toll. She recorded four bogeys and slipped back to nine-under overall, holding a slim one-shot lead over South Korea’s Kim A-lim, who delivered a flawless 67 marked by five birdies. American Andrea Lee matched that score and climbed into third, two strokes behind the leader.

“It was a tough day,” Yamashita admitted in a post-round interview with Sky Sports. “I was nervous, and the wind didn’t make it easy. I just didn’t feel like I was hitting the shots I wanted.”

Her round got off to a shaky start with her first bogey in 24 holes on the fifth. A misread birdie attempt quickly turned into a dropped shot. Further bogeys followed, but Yamashita showed flashes of brilliance, particularly with a long par-saving putt from 35 feet on the 17th—arguably her highlight of the day.

After recovering with back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th to momentarily restore a three-shot cushion, Yamashita’s lead once again shrank with two more bogeys down the stretch. She missed a makeable birdie on the final hole, leaving the door open for her competitors.

Among those capitalizing on the conditions was England’s Charley Hull, who thrilled local fans with a sparkling 66. Her seven birdies shot her into a tie for fourth with Rio Takeda, Minami Katsu, and Megan Khang at six-under. Hull’s round wasn’t without drama, including a drive that narrowly avoided hitting Minjee Lee.

“I felt I needed a good number today,” Hull said. “It was calm at first, then the wind picked up. I was happy with the way I played, although that putt on 18 was a tough one to read.”

Meanwhile, world number one Nelly Korda struggled to find rhythm. Her 74—matching Yamashita’s score—left her even par and tied for 36th, well off the pace.

With one round remaining, Yamashita remains in control, albeit by the slimmest of margins. She’ll need to summon her best golf under pressure to fend off the surging contenders and claim her first major title.