Three share lead in Wales

Rebecca
Hudson

But the 28-year-old from Doncaster turned it around and birdied the last to draw level with Mills and Simpson.

Mills, whose only Ladies European Tour victory came a decade ago at the German Open, also birdied the final hole to move alongside the 31-year-old Simpson, playing in the penultimate pairing.

Defending champion Linda Wessberg carded a 73 and slipped to one-under for the tournament. The day’s early starters endured the worst of the bad weather.

But it was talk of The Solheim Cup – the women’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup – that arguably had a greater impact on some of the players.

Hudson, Hauert, Wessberg and Tinning are among those with the greatest chance of qualifying for the European Team.

Top-six finishes at Machynys for Hudson and Hauert would see them leapfrog Annika Sorenstam in the rankings, while a top eight finish would be enough for Wessberg.