Ashleigh Simon (South Africa):

64: what a marvellous round. How did you do it?
The course was there for the taking today. We got really lucky with the weather and it was nice and soft so we were able to fire at the pins. That’s what I did today: I gave myself chances and the putter worked so I got to eight under and it’s a nice feeling.

You won on the LET in 2007. Last year you played in America and now you’ve come back. What are your expectations?
I won in 2007 and it’s now been three years so hopefully I’ll get the winning feeling back this year. Last year was a difficult year in the States but I learned a lot. This year I’ll be back in Europe and I’m very happy to be back here.

Tomorrow, will you go for a win?
A win would be nice. Mel is playing really good golf so it should be a good contest between the two of us and a whole lot of other players up there. You’ve seen a few low scores out here already so anything is possible tomorrow.

How bad was your back injury last year?
I was out for two months. It was a herniated disc. The whole year I was trying to get better but you never really are. I’m fine now. I’ve changed coaches and made some changes to my swing and it’s made a huge difference to my back. In December I would play 18 holes and be in agony afterwards. Since February I’ve been 100 per cent.

Who is your new coach?
His name is Doug Wood, in South Africa.

How did you get back problems?
I’ve got no idea.

How was the round in general?
Today went pretty well. I said yesterday that I had to keep the drops off the card and that’s what I did. I hit it solid and was able to find the greens because the course was playing really soft. I just had the putter going and holed almost everything I looked at.

You came from the sun in South Africa. How do you manage to play in conditions like this?
I’ve got no idea. It happened to Lee-Anne Pace yesterday. She is South African and we’re not used to this cold and rainy weather. As I said, the course is there for the taking because it is so soft. We are able to just hit it close and that’s all I can really say.

What is the plan for tomorrow?
Tomorrow I just go out there and try to do what I did today. My caddie kept me really calm today and he said once I’d made a birdie, forget about the last hole and play each hole as it is. That’s what I did today and it’s something I haven’t done in a really long time so I felt really comfortable out there and hopefully I can do the same thing tomorrow.

Melissa Reid (England)

You played great the first nine, got to 12 under and then what happened?
I just didn’t get anything going. I missed seven putts inside six feet today so it could have been much, much better. I holed a great putt for par on nine and then didn’t really get anything going. I knocked it to six feet four times in a row and didn’t make a putt. The greens get a bit tricky in the afternoon because they get a bit bobbly but still; I should have had a few more really. I’m a bit disappointed.

Last week you had a great last round to win. What will happen tomorrow?
Tomorrow is the same game plan as today. Hopefully we can convert a few more birdie putts. I think you’re going to have to shoot a low one: I think a 66 is in order to win really. I’m really annoyed with myself because I’ve kind of let everybody back in now. One behind isn’t too bad. There are loads of birdie opportunities out there so hopefully we’ll have a low one tomorrow.

Summarise your round.
I started off really, really well: three birdies and then missed a short putt on five for birdie and didn’t get anything going on the back nine really. I holed a great putt on nine for par and then I could have been about five under on the back nine. I missed about six short putts which I don’t expect to do. It’s a new day tomorrow and hopefully we’ll shoot a low one.

What was the difference?
That’s golf, you know. Once minute you can be rolling everything and the next minute you can’t make anything. It’s just the way it goes sometimes.

Linda Wessberg (Sweden)

One over today, I think you’re not satisfied.
I made one birdie on the first and other than that it was an horrific first nine. I had a few bad lies that were pretty unlucky but I was probably lucky some other times. I shot three under on the back nine so I was happy with that.
I’m very happy to be up there just two shots behind. If I shoot low tomorrow I still have a good chance to take this and drive home with the car.

How do you prepare?
I’m going to go to the range and hit a few more balls and putts before I go home to watch a few movies on the computer to relax. Nothing special. It’s a new day tomorrow.