Hopes are rising for a home hero as France's Celine Boutier will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Amundi Evian Championship while Ireland’s Leona Maguire made her move on Saturday to break into the top 20.
Bad weather had forced an early two-tee start in round three at Evian Resort Golf Club, but the early stages were bright for Boutier who was out in 31 after birdies at the second, fifth, seventh and ninth holes.
A bogey and birdie coming in left the French player, whose best finish at her home major is a tie for 29th, with a 67 and 11 under par for the tournament.
Japan’s Nasa Hataoka holds a sole lead of second after a 68 left her three shots back, with Brooke Henderson and Lee Minjee a further shot back. America’s Nelly Korda shot a sensational 64 to move to six under and right back into the hunt.
Maguire’s brilliant 67 is unlikely to do likewise, the Cavan golfer eight back on three under, but it was a good move up the leaderboard.
Her card followed Boutier’s trend, four birdies on the front nine and a birdie and bogey on the back nine leading to a round of 67.
Stephanie Meadow’s struggles continued as she hit her second consecutive 76 to leave her on eight over and down towards the tail-end of the field.
Meadow started at the tenth and birdied her second hole, but it would be one of only two on the day with six bogeys and a double bogey seeing her slip well back.
First-round leader Paula Reto of South Africa fell four shots behind Boutier after a torrid time on the back nine.
Reto had three bogeys and a double in the closing stretch as she signed for a four-over-par 75.
Spanish Solheim Cup star Carlota Ciganda was disqualified after refusing to add a two-shot penalty to her score on the final hole having been penalised for slow play.
Additional reporting: PA
