Saturday 26 September 2015 17:46, UK
Emily Kristine Pedersen recovered from a slow start to fire a six-under 64 and take a three-shot lead in to the weekend at the Ladies French Open.
The Ladies European Tour rookie bogeyed two of her opening three holes at Golf De Chantaco, before carding six birdies and an eagle to move three clear of nearest challenger Celine Herbin.
Herbin had a mixed finish to her two-under 68, almost making an albatross on the long 15th after hitting in close using a six-iron and then double-bogeying the 16th, but recovered to close with consecutive gains.
"After the rough start I was very happy about finishing six under," said Pedersen, who received an invitation to play in the limited field event, featuring 78 players.
"It's given me extra motivation to prove I'm good enough to be here, because I wasn't good enough to get into the tournament. It's a narrow course so you have to be accurate with your irons and shots into the greens."
"The end of the round was a little up and down," Herbin said. "I have a very good feeling for this weekend. My game is in good shape."
Overnight leader Gwladys Nocera picked up two late birdies to join Malene Jorgensen tied-third on four under, with recent European Solheim Cup stars Azahara Munoz and Charley Hull a further stroke back.
Another member of Carin Koch's side, Carlota Ciganda, surged up the leaderboard by reaching the turn in just 31, but posted two double-bogeys on the back nine and need a gain at the last to close a second consecutive 70.
Joining the Spaniard on level par is Georgia Hall, who produced a much-improved 64, while recent Solheim Cup winner Cristie Kerr is in the group tied at one over.
