The third round of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France is under way in warm and sunny weather at Chantaco Golf Club in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Aquitaine.
Halfway leader Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark made a strong start with birdies on the second and third holes. The 19-year-old rookie from Smoerum bogeyed the sixth and parred the seventh after missing a one foot putt when her ball hit a spike mark next to the hole, but she recovered with birdies on the eighth and 13th to reach 12 under par.
Celine Herbin lay in second four strokes behind after making a birdie on the 13th hole, with first round leader Gwladys Nocera, Denmark’s Malene Jorgensen and Scotland’s Pamela Pretswell.
Norwegian Marianne Skarpnord finished on five under, with European Solheim Cup stars Charley Hull and Azahara Munoz on five under after 14 holes.
Cristie Kerr fired a five under par 65 which puts her at four under par for the tournament and the United States Solheim Cup winner now has a chance to challenge for the title on Sunday.
Kerr, who has improved each day with rounds of 74, 67 and 65, said: “I was actually pretty sick on Thursday. Like, just my stomach and like… just not feeling good. I had no energy. So I just rested the rest of the day and I came out and I was just like a different person on Friday. So I knew I was gonna play well, and it was just unfortunate I had a bad start, you know. “I’m kind of way back, you know. It would take a really special 8 or 9-under round, but I think it’s possible on this course. I mean, if it’s not windy, if you’re getting the groove and just keep going, it is! My game is going better every day, so if it’s a little better tomorrow I might have a chance.”
