Diana Luna - © PBallet / ASO - Golf de Chantaco - France -

It is certainly the most French of the Italians who now occupies the head of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France. Diana Luna, 34, took control thanks to a well-mastered third round with a score of 66 (-4), one of the best of the day. Author on the first leg of two bogeys and three birdies, the Romaine, based in Cannes for more than ten years, managed a superb eagle at hole number 15, and a final birdie at the 17, to get ahead of the American. Beth Allen. “It's very hard to score well on this course, because the greens are very difficult. It's a real test. We have to hold on, especially around the 11th and 12th when the flags were very delicate today. I am very happy. Everything works pretty well in my game, and I hope it will continue like that tomorrow, ”she says in impeccable French.

Three times second in the tournament in 2010 (loss in play-off against Trish Johnson), 2011 (loss in play-off against Felicity Johnson) and 2012 (one stroke from Stacey Keating), Luna hopes to finally add the Lacoste Ladies Open from France to his record, with five victories on the Ladies European Tour between 2004 and 2011. “I finished second three times, so it sure makes me want to win even more! I have made my life in France for a long time, and it is a country that welcomed me with sympathy and that I appreciate very much. I feel that people support me, and of course I want to make them happy, ”she smiles. The task will not be easy since Beth Allen, who led at the start of the third round, is only one stroke behind her after making a solid 68 (-2). However, behind the two players who score at -12 and -11 respectively, the gap has widened. The English Florentyna Parker, 71 (+1) this Saturday, is third at -7.

Two golfers share fourth place at -6: the Englishwoman Trish Johnson, triple winner of the tournament in 1996, 1999 and 2010 who played 69 (-1), as well as Alexandra Vilatte-Farret. The Parisienne, author of a beautiful card of 67 (-3) thanks to five birdies against two bogeys, is delighted to be so well placed in her national open: "I am very happy, because it is my best day since the start of the tournament. I am starting to find very good feelings. I'm delighted to be here and can't wait to see you tomorrow. I'm not particularly used to being in this situation, but it's a very pleasant feeling, ”she emphasizes.

Defending champion Céline Herbin, for her part, had a bad day, especially on the greens, and conceded a heavy 75 (+5) which relegated her to 19th position in the par total. The second French leaderboard is Céline Boutier, eighth at -3 playing 70 (par) during this third round. “I missed out on a lot of birdie opportunities because my game was pretty good so it's a little frustrating. I would like to finish on a good note tomorrow, ”explains the former world number one amateur, who is only playing her second tournament as a professional. Finally, the best score of the day was achieved by the Welshwoman Amy Boulden: a superb card of 64 (-6) which allows her to go up to sixth place at -4.

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