The third day, known as Moving Day, is always the most fascinating in a major, and with receptive greens and very little wind in Carnoustie, the world’s top players at the AIG Women’s Open served a birdie feast.

On an increasingly gloomy afternoon, it was the Scandinavians who lit up the leaderboard, with Anna Nordqvist from Sweden and Danish Nanna Koerstz Madsen sharing the lead with nine minutes.

Only three shots separate the top 14, with Koerstz Madsen shooting a 68 and Nordqvist producing a stunning bogey-free seven-under 65 for the best round of the week.

Nordqvist’s stunning bogey-free lap got her part of the lead

CRAIG BROUGH / REUTERS

Nordqvist, 34, is hoping to win her third major and has enjoyed considerable local support following her marriage to Kevin McAlpine, who earlier this summer