French youngster Celine Boutier is leading the Australian Ladies Classic at Bonville, with a flawless front nine of 31 which included four birdies.
Earlier this week the 24-year-old admitted she had been struggling for form since arriving in Australia, but everything has changed in this inaugural Ladies European Tour event in Coffs Harbour.
Boutier birdied 1, 4, 7 and 9 in her storming start to round three and has a share of the lead with Briton Holly Clyburn as the marquee groups turn for the back nine.
Germany’s Olivia Cowan had an outward nine of 34 which might have been spectacular without a double-bogey seven on the par-five fourth hole.
Also making her presence felt is pre-tournament favourite, Perth’s Hannah Green who is two-under for the round with four birdies mixed with two bogeys.
Round of the day so far belongs to Icelandic professional Olafia Kristinsdottir. The 25-year-old was named the Icelandic sportsperson the year in 2017 – the same year she underwent double jaw surgery to correct an underbite.
Playing in the second group, her equal career-best 67 included an eagle on the seventh and five birdies.
“The greens were fresh, and we were really lucky with the weather. I played really well, I drove it well, putted well … I did everything well,” she said.
LEADERBOARD
1: Boutier, Celine – 10
2: Clyburn, Holly – 8
3: Cowan, Olivia – 7
4: Jonsdottir, Valdis – 6
5: Green, Hannah – 5
6: Holmqvist, Daniela – 4
T7: Burnett, Katie – 3
T7: Artis, Rebecca – 3
T9: Haglund, Jenny – 2
T9: Madsen, Nanna – 2