Johnson surges ahead in France

France’s Ludivine Kreutz

“Playing in the afternoon I feel we got a better deal today with the weather. I had lots of chances and I putted very well with only 27 putts as opposed to averaging 33 to 34 last week.”

Head, a two-time winner on the LET, had a two-under-par 70 today. She has been playing on the US Futures Tour this season after losing her playing privileges on both the LET and LPGA Tours and admitted that she would love to return to Europe. Head finished tied for 18th in last week’s event in Switzerland, where she was also playing on an invitation.

“I’m really impressed with the European Tour and I’d love to come back and play,” she said. “I was actually offered an invitation for next week as well but I had to turn it down for personal reasons.”

With three top tens in four starts on the US Futures Tour and having spent the winter working at the David Leadbetter Academy in Florida, Head is extremely capable and motivated to win to regain her full playing privileges this week.

Redman, who is also one shot off the lead, is playing in her first event in Europe this year after she played in the ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia in February and she said: “Life is good at the moment. It’s good to be back in Europe and see my friends.”