Rebecca Hudson in action during round three

(Le Golf D’Arras, Anzin St Aubin, France – Saturday 23rd June 2007) – England’s Rebecca Hudson shot a third round 72 to take a one shot lead at the Vediorbis Open de France Dames at Le Golf D’Arras.

The 28-year-old from Doncaster led for the third day in succession, sitting at eight-under-par 208 after 54 holes.

She held a two stroke lead entering the third round, having completed the final three holes of her second round at 9am on the same morning.

She was being chased by Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera, who carded a 71 to take outright second. England’s Trish Johnson carded a 72 and was left to rue a few missed putts after finishing the day a shot further back in third.

Hudson carded three birdies and three bogeys in total. After six holes, she was tied for the lead with Johnson, who made a charge on the front nine. However she holed a six foot birdie putt at the par-three tenth hole to establish a one stroke lead and then followed with an impressive 25 foot birdie putt at the par-four 11th hole to pull two strokes clear.

She dropped shots at the 12th and 13th holes to move back to eight-under with a one stroke advantage but neither Johnson nor Nocera could catch her coming down the stretch.

Gwladys Nocera

“I’m very happy. I only made one real mistake at the 13th hole where I three-putted from ten feet which wasn’t good. I went for my first putt but apart from that with this wind I think anything under par is good. They’re all chasing me,” said Hudson, who is aiming for her second Ladies European Tour victory in five years as a professional. She previously won the OTP Bank Ladies Central European Open in Hungary a year ago.

“I think I can stave off Gwladys. She will be trying so hard because she’s in France but I have a good chance tomorrow.”

Hudson has fellow LET professional Kirsty Fisher on caddy duties this week and she added: “It’s great having Kirsty on the bag. I’ve known her a long time and she knows my game, sometimes it seems better than me. I say I’m nervous and she says, “Get over it. Sort it out”.

As well as the birdie putts on holes 10 and 11, Hudson holed from 25 feet at the seventh for birdie. She explained her new tactic: “In Catalonia I kept leaving everything in line but just short so every time I do that this week I owe Kirsty a euro. I think I’m up to 17 euros for this week and last week.”

In addition to Nocera and Johnson, Italy’s Stefania Croce was in the chasing pack after a five-under-par 67 took her to fourth place on five-under-par. Four players were four shots off the lead in joint fifth position on four-under-par: Swedes Linda Wessberg and Lotta Wahlin and Spaniards Marta Prieto and Marina Arruti. Wales’ Becky Brewerton was alone in ninth position on three-under-par.