Celine Boutier posted a 2-under 69 in the second round of the Evian Championship to move to 7 under overall, giving her a one-shot lead on Friday.
But surprise overnight leader Paula Reto dropped down the leaderboard after a 4-over 75.
The 29-year-old Boutier, who was two shots back from Reto overnight, is looking to become the first Frenchwoman to win the tournament, which became a major in 2013.
Her solid round kept her narrowly ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit, who carded 67, and Japan’s Yuka Saso (69), in a tie for second.
They are one shot ahead of Nasa Hataoka of Japan (67), Mexico’s Gaby Lopez (68) and American Alison Lee (71).
Canada’s Brooke Henderson, the defending champion, posted a 1-under 70 to move to 3-under for the tournament. Fellow Canadian Maddie Szeryk missed the cut after shooting an 82 on Friday.
WATCH | Henderson sits in tie for 8th:
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Smiths Falls Ontario’s Brooke Henderson shot a 70 (1 under) in round 2 of the Amundi Evian Championship to leave her at 3 under , after 2 rounds and tied for 8th. She will look to defend the title, as round 3 continues Saturday.
Reto struggled badly on the back nine, with a double bogey on the 12th hole followed by three bogeys over the next four holes.
The 33-year-old South African ended the day in a tie for eighth at 3 under overall along with defending champion Brooke Henderson of Canada, who finished on 70.
Boutier was level with 2015 champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand overnight, but Ko drifted way back into a tie for 22nd after a dismal round of 76 at the Evian Resort Golf Club.
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