Cara Gainer, Gabriela Ruffels share lead at Evian Championship

Sign up now: Get STs newsletters delivered to your inbox

England’s Cara Gainer carded a 7-under 64 and Ruffels shot 66 in the third round.

PHOTO: AFP

EVIAN – England’s Cara Gainer and Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels shared a one-stroke lead at 11-under 202 entering the final round of the Evian Championship on July 13.

Gainer carded a seven-under 64 and Ruffels shot 66 in the third round on July 12 at the Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France.

World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, three-time Major winner Minjee Lee and fellow Australian Grace Kim, along with second-round leader Lee So-mi of South Korea are all 10 under at the fourth of this season’s five Majors.

Gainer, 29, picked up her maiden title on the Ladies European Tour (LET) in Morocco in February. She tied for third at an LET event at this course in May.

“I’ve got confidence coming from that tournament,” she said. “I know it’s set up slightly different, but I have good feelings and good vibes in this amazing beautiful place.”

Gainer put herself into contention for her first Major victory with six birdies, an eagle at the par-five seventh hole and a bogey on July 12.

Ruffels, 25, has three titles on the Epson Tour but her best finish at a Major was tied-13th at the US Women’s Open in 2020. She opened the third round with her only bogey of the day before posting six birdies, including four from No. 11 to 15.