England’s Laura Davies, a two-time winner of the event, carded a two-over 72 to drop to joint ninth – although still in contention five shots off the lead - while another double Evian champion Annika Sorenstam birdied two of the final three holes to also shoot 72 and claim a share of sixth on two under.

Inkster, a seven-time major winner, said: “My putting has been horrible for the past month but I had a lesson last week and holed some good ones today.

“The course was very tough with the wind, the undulating greens and the rough is so much deeper than it has been in the past. You certainly need to patient out there.”

Davies felt her round could have been much better.

“I three-putted twice, never got up and down once and missed so many chances it was unbelievable,” said the 43-year-old, who won in 1995 and 1996 and was tied second last year.

But it was a disheartening day for Michelle Wie, the 17-year-old who tied for second with Davies a year ago.

She shot the worst score of the day – an 84 – and was 69th of the 72 qualifiers on 12 over par.

This is only Wie’s fifth tournament of a season overshadowed by a wrist injury but she refused to use that as an excuse – “it stings a little, but isn’t a problem” – but did admit to feeling frustration the week before she heads to the Women’s British Open at St Andrews.

“My body just wouldn’t do what my mind wanted,” said Wie, whose second round 71 was her first sub-par round since she shot 68 on the last day at Evian 12 months ago.

“I’ve had a couple of good days here, but this was a bad one.”