Zorzi extends her lead

Laura Davies

“The spectators here have come to see low scores and unfortunately we haven’t been able to give that to them for the last few days because of the wet conditions but hopefully we can give them something to get excited about tomorrow.”

Arricau, from Pau, which is 100km east of Biarritz, gave the home supporters something to cheer about after she carded a 70 today.

“It was a satisfying day today. It was fun and nice to have lots of spectators on home soil. I hope the sun comes out tomorrow and lots of birdies would be nice. If I focus on my rhythm, then the great birdies will come,” said Arricau, who won the French and Spanish Opens in 2004.

England’s Kirsty S Taylor, seeking her first tour win, dropped back to two-under-par 214 after a 71 today but is still well in the running in a tie for fourth position. She sits alongside last week’s Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open Champion Gwladys Nocera, from France, who had a third round of 69 and the two-time Portuguese Open Champion, Cecilia Ekelundh, from Sweden, who had a 69 and said it was her best round of the year.

“I played wonderfully today and I just missed a lot of putts for birdie. If I can keep that going I’m not going to be far behind tomorrow,” said Ekelundh.

Anna Knutsson from Sweden had a 68 to tie with Davies for the joint best score of the day and she finished on level par 216 alongside Nathalie David-Mila from France, who had a 69 and England’s Trish Johnson, who had a 71.