Novera steams into lead

France’s European number one Gwladys Nocera posted a blistering seven-under-par 65 on the third day of the BMW Ladies Italian Open in Rome to take a three-shot lead over her compatriot Sophie Giquel heading into tomorrow’s final round.

Nocera posted the joint-best score of the week with a 65, only equalled by Spaniard Ana Belen Sanchez, who finished the day in a tie for 10th position on five under par.

Nocera fired eight birdies, with four in a row from the 10th and just one bogey at the second.

“I’m having a lot of fun out there. It’s a combination of increased confidence and hard work which seems to be paying off,” she admitted.

“All I know is that I’m playing my best golf and I’m striking the ball really well. My putting is great; overall my whole game is good. I think I would like to win again this week. Now that I’m so close to the final day I think I can say that.”

Giquel had a superb third round of 66 after posting six birdies, with four in a row from the eighth, and just one bogey.

Defending champion Iben Tinning kept her title chances alive after a 67 today which took her into a share of third position on eight under par, with fellow Dane Amanda Moltke Leth and Sweden’s Linda Wessberg.

England’s Rebecca Hudson was seven shots off the pace after a faultless 66 took her to seven under par for the tournament and into sixth position.

Hudson said: “I just played really well today. I didn’t make a bogey. I struck the ball really well and the pins were more accessible, which helped.

“I made 17 greens and 16 greens. It was one of those days where I was putting really well and it was just a really good round of golf.”