Aussie Stephanie Kyriacou will carry a one-shot lead into the final round of the Evian Championship after carding a 4-under 67 in the third round.
Kyriacou sits at 14-under for the tournament, a shot clear of Ayaka Furue and Lauren Coughlin.
The Evian Championship, at the Evian Resort Golf Club in Évian-les-Bains in France, is the fourth of five women’s golf majors for the year.
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It’s the first time the 23-year-old Sydneysider has been in contention for a major.
She is yet to taste victory on the LPGA tour, but has two wins on the European Tour, including the 2020 Australian Ladies Classic at Bonville.
Stephanie Kyriacou during the third round. She’ll carry a one-stroke lead into the final round. Getty
“Obviously I know I’m in the lead, so that’s nice,” she said.
“Being in contention on Sunday is not something – I don’t think I’ve been in contention in a major before, so it’s exciting.
“This is a different kind of nerves. Sometimes when you’re near the cut line you really want to make the cut, there is like a few thoughts there. This is completely different.
“Physical things like your heart rate goes up. You get a little bit numb. At least I do.
“It’s a different kind of nerves. It’s a good thing. It’s a good thing to experience.”
Her previous best result in a major is a tie for seventh at the 2022 British Open.
Furue made two bogeys on the back nine, ending an impressive streak of 46 holes without one.
Coughlin, who tied for third at the Chevron Championship for her best finish at a major, had a spectacular day at Evian Resort Golf Club, recording two eagles, four birdies and only two bogeys.
Kyriacou on the 15th hole. Getty
“I’ve just been hitting my irons and driver extremely well, and finally rolling in some putts, too. It was a great round,” Coughlin said.
Kyriacou said she and caddie Wei Wang have a mantra they will be heavily leaning on as she strives for her first major victory.
“It has swear words in it … basically, if you didn’t give a crap about everything else, how would you play this?” she said.
“Along those lines. That kind of gets me through it.
Kyriacou is yet to win on the LPGA Tour, and this is thef irst time she’s been in contention in a major. Getty
“Coming down the stretch here, I know it’s Saturday, but you still get nervous. (Wang) kind of just kept my head screwed on and just said, I’m still playing golf. It’s the same as playing a practice round, the same as yesterday.
“Just trying to keep that perspective.”
The other Aussies in the field include Minjee Lee in a tie for 19th, Hannah Green in a tie for 49th, Grace Kim at T55 and Gabbi Ruffels at T63.
Sarah Kemp and Hira Naveed missed the cut.
– With AP