(Taranto, Italy November 2 2004) Three players share the lead after the third round of the Robe di Kappa Ladies European Tour qualifying school after a day of mixed emotions for many players at Riva dei Tessali GC in southern Italy.

Lisa Holm Sorensen

Two shots further back on one over par are Mikaela Parmlid from Sweden, who slipped to a two over 74 and glamorous Australian Carlie Butler, who had a 72.

But the best score of the day belonged to top Spanish amateur Elisa Serramia from Spain. The 20-year-old former British amateur champion from Barcelona had a four under par 68 and is ties with Josefine Skold from Sweden, who had a 73.

Highgate, who shared the lead after the opening round, admitted to being nervous at the start of a day which would decide the futures of so many players when the cut would be made.

Despite two opening bogeys, Highgate, who celebrated her 22nd birthday today, bounced back with an eagle three at the eighth hole after chipping in from 20-yards short of the green. The runner up in this year’s British Amateur championship went on to birdie the 12th and 14th and remained faultless for the rest of her round.

“I was a bit nervous after those two bogeys at the first, but I made a load of pars and then of course, making the eagle calmed me down and I played well for the rest of the round,” said Highgate.

Sorensen, who is attending her second qualifying school after missing the cut last year by a solitary shot, beamed with delight after her round, which included four birdies and an eagle.