Taylor takes charge in Catalonia

England’s Kirsty Taylor carded a three-under par 69 to establish a one-shot lead going into the final round of the Catalonia Ladies Masters.

The 35-year-old moved to seven under par with Wales’ Becky Brewerton and South African teenager Ashleigh Simon both carding 68s to lie joint second.

Taylor dropped a shot at the third but fired four birdies in response.

“I enjoyed the day. I enjoyed playing with Ashleigh. She’s a great golfer,” said Taylor, who is seeking her second victory in 13 years as a professional.

Simon, who turned 18 in May, carded nine birdies, two bogeys and a triple bogey at the 12th, where she was penalised two shots for hitting the sand in a fairway bunker.

“I hit my drive left into the bunker and I had a very awkward stance,” Simon explained.

“I hit my six iron and duffed it. It rolled back into the bunker and I proceeded to hit the ground without realising.

“The ball was still in the bunker so I called a two-shot penalty on myself. I wasn’t too disappointed as I actually would have made a five.

“From there I went birdie, birdie, birdie and got it straight back so I was pretty happy with my fightback.

“It’s my first time in contention out here so I’ll take it as a learning experience.”

Brewerton began slowly with a double bogey at the third when she lost a ball off the tee, but responded with seven birdies.

“It wasn’t the best way to start but without the wind there were lots of birdie chances and I started to play really well,” said the 24-year-old. “I was hitting the irons straight at the pins and putting well so everything was good.”