Lottie Woad Leads by Seven at KPMG Women's Irish Open, Anna Foster Tops Irish Contenders

Lottie Woad holds a commanding seven-shot advantage ahead of Sunday's final round at the KPMG Women's Irish Open with Anna Foster leading the home challenge at Carton House.

Foster enjoyed a fine Saturday, firing nine birdies on the way to a six-under 67 that has put the Dubliner in a tie for ninth on seven under. Leona Maguire is five shots further back in a tie for 29th after the Cavan native had her strongest round of the tournament with a 70. Emma Fleming (73) and Canice Screene (76) were the other Irish in action on day three, with both on level par and five over respectively.

But it's English amateur player Woad who is dominating around the Kildare course after a second consecutive 67 which has left her in a distant lead on 17 under. Sweden's Madelene Sagstroem (70) is her closest challenger on ten under, a further shot clear of Australian Kirsten Rudgeley (71). There is a five-way tie for fourth, including Charley Hull (72), one shot ahead of Alexandra Swayne and Foster.

The latter's nine birdies were almost evenly spread with four on the front nine and another five on the back - the only blemishes being a costly double bogey on the par-4 fifth and another bogey on 11. Maguire, meanwhile, birdied two, four, eight and nine before bogeys on 12 and 15 sandwiched another gain on 14.

Watch Sunday's final round of the KPMG Women's Irish Open on Sunday from 2pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.