A one-over-par 72 was enough to see first-round leader Hyo-Joo Kim of Korea reclaim top spot on the leaderboard after the third day of the Evian Championship in France yesterday.

With a gusting wind and some severe pin positions making scoring difficult, Kim carded four birdies and five bogeys to finish eight under par, one shot ahead of seven-time Major champion Karrie Webb.

The Australian is looking to become the only player to have won all six of the different Majors which have existed in her lifetime.

Kim, 19, whose opening round of 61 was the lowest in Major championship history, said: "I was calm but if I win, I will get excited."

Fellow Korean MJ Hur had been leading on nine under par before running up a triple bogey on the 16th after topping a chip shot across the green into a water hazard.

Hur, who recovered with two pars to return a 72 and lie two shots off the lead on six under, said: "I had a good round all day long except the 16th. I'm satisfied with this round because the pin positions were so tough."

Colombian Mariajo Uribe, who played in bare feet from the water hazard on to the 18th green only to miss the putt resulting in a bogey, and Sweden's Anna Nordqvist share fourth position on five under, with Na Yeon Choi, Ha-Na Jang, Lydia Ko and half-way leader Brittany Lincicome all on four under.

Lincicome held a one-shot lead overnight, but double-bogeyed her first two holes and also ran up a triple-bogey eight on the seventh in a front nine of 41.

Defending champion Suzann Pettersen is five off the lead on three under after a costly double-bogey on the 17th in a round of 74.