Stupples, Brewerton, Pilgrim and Ekelundh tied for English Open lead

Becky Brewerton

The Deal 34-year-old rolled in a long birdie putt at the last to take the joint lead and she added: “I’m very happy with that. The 18th is a tough hole and the putt broke a lot. I was just trying to nestle it in there close and luckily it fell in.

“I knew that pars would be good and I done quite well making pars this week. So I just figured try to keep the ball in play, don’t shoot yourself in the foot too badly and take opportunities when they come.”

Pilgrim shot the best round of the day and she added: “I just got some putts in. I’m due so many that I think any time now is perfect. I had a couple on the front so I was minus two on the back nine and then minus two on the front. I was just keeping it in play. I wasn’t hitting it awesome but it’s not about that on a windy day anyway. It was just a case of controlling the ball.

“It was very windy out there and there’s not very much of me so I was gripping to the floor trying to stay up straight. I managed to do that. It was hard but you have to adjust your game. I had fun. I’ve got my sister back on the bag and we were having a good time. I didn’t expect to be leading, no way. I thought I might be around top ten but no idea that I was leading. “

Like her compatriot, Brewerton, who finished joint third in the tournament two years ago, was aiming for her maiden Tour title.

Cecilia Ekelundh

“One over is a good round today to be honest – it’s not a bad score at all. It was hard. I’m one shot off the lead so I’m not disappointed.”

Nocera was pleased to have recovered her golf clubs after losing them whilst travelling from the US Women’s Open and said: “I don’t have many expectations but I will play my best tomorrow.”