Pressel of US eagles the last to lead Evian
American Morgan Pressel holed a six-foot putt for eagle at the long 18th to burst out of a logjam and take the third round lead in the Evian Masters on Saturday.
The Florida 22-year-old fired a 67 for 11 under par 205 and edged into a two shot lead over two South Koreans in the French event.
Shin Jiyai, who held the world No.1 ranking for seven weeks earlier this season, had a 68 and Jang Jeong, the 2005 Women's British Open Champion, fired a 70.
Pressel, who won the women's major of the Kraft Nabisco Championship as an 18-year-old, shared the lead after her opening 66 and her third round was highlighted by four birdies and the eagle that came courtesy of a superb hybrid second shot that landed six feet from the pin at the 18th.
"I've added 20 yards length this year thanks to working with my coach, Adam Scriber, and getting a longer Callaway driver," she said.
"It's been two years hard slog and frustrating at times. But it's definitely been worth it. It would be great to win tomorrow. We all love this tournament - one of the best."
Alexis Thompson, the 15-year-old American playing in her third professional event, had set her sights on a top ten finish after a third round 67 that ended with a tap-in putt for eagle at the long 18th.
On eight under par and in a share of fourth place, her goal is now even higher.
Tenth at the US Women's Open two weeks ago, Thompson, with dad, Scott, on the bag, lives in Florida and is home schooled.
"I will be playing in three more events this year, but I've not even thought about joining a Tour full-time," she said.
"At the moment, it is just one tournament at a time.
"It's been an awesome experience being here at Evian and today I played really good with five birdies and the eagle. I had a 198-yard second shot at the last and hit it with a five iron to just a few feet. It was the perfect way to finish."
Shin had a solid round of five birdies to raise her hopes of a victory that could move her back to the head of the world rankings, while Jang, who has had a number of injury setbacks, had two birdies.
"It would be great to win here," said Shin, who has won numerous events in Korea before joining the LPGA Tour.
"I played great today."
American Brittany Lincicome leapt up the leaderboard with a joint best of tournament 65 and was another in joint fourth on eight under. She started with a bogey but hit back with six birdies and an eagle at the par four 16th where she holed her second shot with a wedge.
At the short 17th she nearly did it again when her tee shot landed past the hole and screwed back to a foot.
"The eagle was fun and then to nearly have a hole in one was a great feeling," said Lincicome, who won a major - the Kraft Nabsico Championship - last year.
"Today just felt so good and I just wish I could play like that all year round.
"Hopefully, I can keep it going tomorrow. This is easily my best performance here and it's partly because you begin to get to know the course better each year."
France's Gwladys Nocera, second overnight, slipped back with a disappointing 76 for three under par.
In the last group out, the 35-year-old former European No.1 managed just one birdie - at the 12th - and had four bogeys.
"It just wasn't my day today," said Nocera, who lives in Gland near Geneva and practises at Evian, after finding herself in 21st place.
"But it is still great to play in front of so many home supporters and I hope I can do well tomorrow."
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The Florida 22-year-old fired a 67 for 11 under par 205 and edged into a two shot lead over two South Koreans in the French event.
Shin Jiyai, who held the world No.1 ranking for seven weeks earlier this season, had a 68 and Jang Jeong, the 2005 Women's British Open Champion, fired a 70.
Pressel, who won the women's major of the Kraft Nabisco Championship as an 18-year-old, shared the lead after her opening 66 and her third round was highlighted by four birdies and the eagle that came courtesy of a superb hybrid second shot that landed six feet from the pin at the 18th.
"I've added 20 yards length this year thanks to working with my coach, Adam Scriber, and getting a longer Callaway driver," she said.
"It's been two years hard slog and frustrating at times. But it's definitely been worth it. It would be great to win tomorrow. We all love this tournament - one of the best."
Alexis Thompson, the 15-year-old American playing in her third professional event, had set her sights on a top ten finish after a third round 67 that ended with a tap-in putt for eagle at the long 18th.
On eight under par and in a share of fourth place, her goal is now even higher.
Tenth at the US Women's Open two weeks ago, Thompson, with dad, Scott, on the bag, lives in Florida and is home schooled.
"I will be playing in three more events this year, but I've not even thought about joining a Tour full-time," she said.
"At the moment, it is just one tournament at a time.
"It's been an awesome experience being here at Evian and today I played really good with five birdies and the eagle. I had a 198-yard second shot at the last and hit it with a five iron to just a few feet. It was the perfect way to finish."
Shin had a solid round of five birdies to raise her hopes of a victory that could move her back to the head of the world rankings, while Jang, who has had a number of injury setbacks, had two birdies.
"It would be great to win here," said Shin, who has won numerous events in Korea before joining the LPGA Tour.
"I played great today."
American Brittany Lincicome leapt up the leaderboard with a joint best of tournament 65 and was another in joint fourth on eight under. She started with a bogey but hit back with six birdies and an eagle at the par four 16th where she holed her second shot with a wedge.
At the short 17th she nearly did it again when her tee shot landed past the hole and screwed back to a foot.
"The eagle was fun and then to nearly have a hole in one was a great feeling," said Lincicome, who won a major - the Kraft Nabsico Championship - last year.
"Today just felt so good and I just wish I could play like that all year round.
"Hopefully, I can keep it going tomorrow. This is easily my best performance here and it's partly because you begin to get to know the course better each year."
France's Gwladys Nocera, second overnight, slipped back with a disappointing 76 for three under par.
In the last group out, the 35-year-old former European No.1 managed just one birdie - at the 12th - and had four bogeys.
"It just wasn't my day today," said Nocera, who lives in Gland near Geneva and practises at Evian, after finding herself in 21st place.
"But it is still great to play in front of so many home supporters and I hope I can do well tomorrow."