England's Johanna Head set her sights on a first Evian European Tour victory with a third round 71 in the WPGA Championship of Europe at Royal Porthcawl.

The 29-year-old from Surrey had five birdies in the Welsh sunshine for an eight-under-par total and leads by three from Sweden's Asa Gottmo.

European captain Dale Reid will name her Solheim Cup team for next month's match against America on Sunday and places for the final seven automatic selections from the rankings are wide open.

Norway's Suzann Pettersen, in sixth place, struggled to a 79 for three-over 222.

And Denmark's Iben Tinning, in seventh spot and the halfway leader, dropped back after a 78.

Tinning finished on two under, and in joint seventh place alongside Laura Davies.

Davies, who is one outside the guaranteed places at number eight, moved upwards with a 71.

Sweden's Maria Hjorth shot a joint best of day 68 and moved into outright fourth on four under.

She needs to finish first or second to clinch an automatic berth.

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Selected third round scores & totals in the WPGA Championship of Europe Royal Porthcawl (Gbr & Irland unless stated):

211 Johanna Head 72 68 71
214 Asa Gottmo (Swe) 76 69 69
215 Maria Hjorth (Swe) 74 73 68
216 Elisabeth Esterl (Ger) 78 68 70, Virginie Auffret (Fra) 71 72 73, Shani Waugh (Aus) 69 73 74