Masson ahead in Tenerife

Germany's Caroline Masson climbed to the top of the leaderboard with one round remaining of the Tenerife Open de Espana Femenino.

The 23-year-old followed up rounds of 69 on the opening two days with a two-under-par 70 in blustery conditions to move to eight under for the tournament.

That gave her a one-stroke lead over Australian Stacey Keating, who posted the same score.

Masson has a title by her name already this season, having triumphed at the South African Women's Open in July, and would savour a second.

She said of her round: "I'm glad I could finish two under. I think that's a good score in the wind and I'm just happy with my situation for tomorrow.

"If it's windy, it always makes it difficult but it's about playing the right shot at the right time and shaping shots and I am able to shape it. If you are playing well, the wind doesn't really matter."

A two-over 74 from Nikki Garrett knocked the overnight leader down to a share of fourth place, three shots off the pace.

She played the front nine in a dismal 40 before a pair of birdies on the way home eased the pain.

Australian Garrett won this tournament five years ago and will head into the final round still with a live chance of repeating that victory.

She shared fourth with France's Celine Palomar, who had a 73.

Palomar's compatriot Joanna Klatten was one stroke better off in third place on six under after a level-par 72.

Wales' Lydia Hall stood in a share of ninth place on three under after a solid round of 69, with England's Trish Johnson and Hannah Burke alongside her after their respective scores of 72 and 73.

Burke did well to stay under par for the tournament in the end, with the 24-year-old having followed a triple-bogey seven on the second with a double-bogey six at the third. She played the back nine in four-under 32.

Laura Davies fell away from sixth place to 20th after a five-over 77 put her on level par.