Japan’s Ai Miyazato had a bogey-free third round of 67 on Saturday to take the lead and raise her hopes of repeating her 2009 victory in the Evian Masters.
On a day that started dull and wet, the sun was shining by the time the leaders set out and Miyazato took advantage of the ideal conditions with a glorious round of five birdies for a 13--under par total that pushed her two shots ahead of a packed field. Four players shared second place — Americans Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford, South Korea’s Hong Ran and the halfway leader, Japan’s Miki Saiki.
Saiki dropped back with an outward half of 37, but hit back with three birdies on the back nine and a round of 70. Hong made her move with a 67, while Lewis was disappointed to drop two late shots for a 69.
Photo: AFP
Stanford made the best start of the contenders and was out in front after three birdies in the first seven holes.
South Korea’s Kim In-kyung soared into contention and joined Swede Maria Hjorth in a share of sixth place and just three off the lead with a best of tournament eight-under par 64, a round that included nine birdies, four of them at the short holes.
Defending champion Shin Ji-yai, from South Korea, just about stayed in contention with a 70 for eight-under par, while Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, the world No. 1, produced her best score of the week with a 68 for six-under. Fellow Taiwanese Candie Kung was a further seven shots back after a 74.
Montelimar’s Virginie -Lagoutte-Clement continued to lead the home challenge, but a third round 74 saw her slip back to two-under par. Gwladys Nocera (72) was on level par and Anne Lise- Caudal, the third French player to make the cut, had a 74 for one over par.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
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