Maja Stark and Linn Grant went out on the third round with the hope of reducing the distance to the top.
The hunt did not start particularly well when both Swedes began with a bogey on the first hole. Then, a long struggle awaited to get under par in the winds on the tough Le Golf National. Stark finally made it, after a concluding birdie, and with scores 72–72–71, she is -1 overall and shares 17th place.
A stable performance without tops – and six strokes separate her from the bronze medal position.
I absolutely believe it's possible. The last five holes (which Stark went two under par) started to roll really well, I still have a good feeling for tomorrow and feel that my confidence is there, says the 24-year-old from Abbekås.
"Play my game"
But it will require something out of the ordinary. World number one Scottie Scheffler, who took the men's gold, showed that a lot can happen during the final round on the demanding course south of Paris.
He was four behind the gold and won. I'll try not to think too much about chasing, but just play my game.
Then it's tough out there. The rough is tough, the greens are very hard, and it's windy this week. It's a bit of everything, it's extremely difficult.
Shared lead
For Linn Grant, +2 overall after a 73-round, the distance to the top is even longer. She was on her way after a lovely eagle on the 14th, but followed it up with a double bogey directly on the next hole.
A bit typical of the Swedes' performance so far.
You don't get into any flow, says Grant, who shares 24th place.
The Swiss dark horse, 137th-ranked Morgane Metraux, is -9 left in the lead. She shares it now with former world number one Lydia Ko, New Zealand.
-
Morgane Metraux, Switzerland, and Lydia Ko, New Zealand, both -9.
-
Rose Zhang, USA, and Miyu Yamashita, Japan, -7.
-
Atthaya Thitikul, Thailand, -6.
-
Mariajo Uribe, Colombia, -5.
The Swedes:
-
Maja Stark, -1.
-
Linn Grant, +2.