France’s Boutier closes in on home major at Evian Championship

EVIAN, France: France’s Celine Boutier tightened her grip on the Evian Championship on Saturday with a third round 67 to move three shots clear in her bid to become a major winner on home soil.

With heavy rain forecast for the afternoon, tee times were moved to early morning and Boutier, one ahead at halfway, made the most of the ideal conditions to bag five birdies and just one bogey.

The highlight — and vital nerve settler — was chipping in for a birdie two after a pulled tee shot at the short second.

On 11 under par, the 29-year-old French player was three better than Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and four ahead of the past two winners, Brooke Henderson (67) and Minjee Lee (66).

“I’m very satisfied with my round, but it was a hard grind,” said Boutier, a three time LPGA Tour winner.

“I got a great break with the chip in at the second.

“I feel good this week because I’m staying with my family in a house about 20 minutes away so it helps keep me relaxed and my mind off the golf.

“The first three rounds have given me a lot of confidence. It’s been very different conditions every day and I have coped so I’ll just go out and focus hard tomorrow.”

Hataoka shot 68 and the Japanese 24-year-old has an impressive major record. She finished second in the 2018 LPGA Championship and was runner-up again in the 2021 US Women’s Open.

Earlier this month, she played in the final group on the final day in the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, eventually finishing fourth behind Allizen Corpuz.

“I was dialled in on the front nine but, unfortunately, couldn’t make so many birdies on the back nine,” said the six time LPGA winner.

“I’m three behind, but just going to go out tomorrow and make as many birdies as possible.”

Canada’s