Friday’s second round of the €165,000 Ladies Biarritz Classic was déjà vu for Sweden’s Helen Alfredsson as she rattled off a second consecutive five under par 65, for a ten under total, with birdies at the same holes as in the first round to lead Finland’s Riikka Hakkarainen by two shots.

The 37-year-old from Gothenburg is perfectly poised to claim her 19th career win heading into Saturday’s final round at Golf de Biarritz le Phare, but will have some battle-hardened opposition during the final day.

The likely challenges will come from Hakkarainen, whose putter was incandescent during her 65, and Alfredsson’s fellow Solheim Cupper Mhairi McKay from Scotland, who had another 67 to lie four shots back.

England’s Nicola Moult is on five under par after a 68, a stroke clear of three players, compatriot Samantha Head, who carded a flawless 66, Swede Sophie Gustafson, who rattled off six birdies during her 67, and French amateur champion Virginie Beauchet who impressed the Biarrot with her second 68.