Nicole Garcia made eight birdies on Saturday on her way to a six-under-par 66 and a share of 21st place ahead of the final round of the Ladies European Tour’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open at Dromoland Castle in Country Clare.
But for two late bogeys, on the 14th and 18th, Garcia could have moved even higher than her six-under through 54 holes. She will go into the final round nine strokes off the lead which was held at 15-under by Anne van Dam of the Netherlands after she carded a third-round six-under herself to move three clear of Lisa Pettersson of Sweden. Halfway leader Diksha Dagar of India and England’s Alice Hewson shared third on 11-under.
One shot ahead of Garcia in a share of 15th on seven-under was Casandra Alexander, who signed for a third round of two-under-par 70.
Lee-Anne Pace had a two-over 74 to slip to a share of 42nd on two-under.
“It wasn’t my best day, but I also hit a lot of great shots,” said Van Dam. “Overall, I have to be happy. Only one dropped shot today and seven birdies, there’s definitely plenty of good there. I’m putting really well and that’s the main thing I changed over the last couple of months is getting my confidence on the greens, especially under pressure like this. A day like today really showed it was good and I’m working on some good things. I’m excited for tomorrow.”
