LEADERBOARD -4 Laura Davies (GB), Christina Kuld (Den) -3 Laurette Maritz (SA) -2 Joanne Mills (Aus) -1 Karen Lunn (Aus), Sophie Sandolo (Ita), Georgina Simpson (GB)

Both players shot four-under-par 68s to put themselves one shot clear of South Africa's Laurette Maritz.

Defending champion Mhairi MacKay started well but tailed off to finish on 74, while Australia's Karrie Webb and Rachel Teske are both off the pace.

"I wasn't firing on all cylinders but my short game saved me," said Davies.

She added: "I'd dearly love to win this title - after all the various national Opens that I have won, this one is missing.

"I love Australia and I've won three Masters titles, but never this one and being an Open, it means a lot."

Kuld, who considered retiring from professional golf a couple of seasons ago, is looking to improve on her best career finish of fifth place.

Bagger denies advantage

"I'm really happy with the way I played. I was very good on the greens and my irons were consistent," said the 30-year-old.

Danish transsexual Mianne Bagger suffered a nightmare professional debut, shooting an 84.

The 37-year-old, who underwent a sex change nine years ago, said: "I was so nervous and it is tough to adapt from amateur golf to a professional tournament."

The three-time South Australian amateur champion added: "It's even harder when you are the focus of so much attention."