Leona Maguire is a heavy favorite heading into the semis
(R&A photo)

The Irish Olympian produced a flawless performance during this morning’s third round, comfortably beating Beatrice Wallin 7&6 to set up a quarter final encounter against Paula Grant, who reached the last eight after a narrow one hole win over Olivia Mehaffey.

Maguire started the contest in electric fashion after picking up two holes early on and thereafter remained in front for the duration of the match despite Grant’s best efforts. The match was closed out on the 16th hole and Maguire, who currently leads the women’s WORLD AMATEUR GOLF RANKING™ and the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women's World Ranking, advanced to tomorrow’s semi-finals with a 4&2 win.

Olarra through to last four

Spain’s Ainhoa Olarra needed the first extra hole to claim a win in her third round match against Denmark’s Line Toft Hansen this morning, before the Spaniard subsequently eased into the semi-finals after defeating Italian Alessandra Fanali 4&2.

Olarra will face Stina Resen in tomorrow morning’s second semi-final. Resen was taken to sudden death in both her third round and quarter final matches, winning against My Leander on the second extra hole earlier today before overcoming Marta Perez Sanmartin on the first extra hole this evening.

Backman in semis after epic

It took four extra holes to separate the quarter final between Finland’s Anna Backman and Anastasia Mickan of Germany. The pair traded holes during a see-saw encounter but remained deadlocked at all-square after finishing the 18th hole.

However, a birdie on the 22nd hole by Backman eventually sealed the win and paved the way for the Finnish youngster to set up a semi-final clash with Maguire.

In the morning’s third round, Linnea Strom, who was runner-up in the 2015 Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship, bowed out after losing to Sanmartin.

Only four remain

The semi-finals of the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship will be played tomorrow starting at 08.30am following by the Final.