“Of course I would like to win but in order to win I have to stay with what I’m doing and hit shot after shot,” said Nocera, who won the Ladies Scottish Open five weeks ago.

“There are some pretty long holes so you have to hit the ball far, which is good for me. You have some nice irons shots to hit into the green.

“I like this type of course. We have quite a few like this at home so I just feel comfortable here.”

One shot back in a share of third on four under are England’s Melissa Reid, Ireland’s Rebecca Coakley, Italy’s Margherita Rigon, Finland’s Ursula Wikstrom and Frenchwomen Cassandra Kirkland and Anne-Lise Caudal.

Reid, a Ladies European Tour rookie, carded six birdies and two bogeys

“There are two more rounds to go and there are plenty of birdies out there. I’ve just got to focus on one shot at a time and do the best I can,” said the Derbyshire 20-year-old who has been working with rugby’s Sir Clive Woodward on bringing a more scientific approach to her golf.

Coakley is starting to hit some form and she said: “It’s starting to come together. Today I hit the ball good for the first nine and then a little average on the back nine but held it together and made a few birdies.”