Women's Irish Open: Maguire fires superb 63 as Alexander leads by three

18 C Alexander (SA); -15 S Kouskova (Cze); -13 K Arwefjaell (Swe); -12 C Viden (Swe), L Rydqvist (Swe); -11 N Komulainen (Fin), L Maguire (Ire); -10 B Navarossa (USA), L Pettersson (Swe), A Foersterling (Ger), A Fanali (Ita), D Forbrigd (Nor)

Selected others: -8 A Dawson (IoM); -7 A Foster (Ire); -5 A Donegan (Ire), L M Humphreys (Eng), H Screen (Eng), L Walsh (Ire); Level A Wilson (NI)

Ireland's Leona Maguire delighted the home crowd by shooting a superb nine-under-par 63 on day three of the Women's Irish Open at the K Club to sit seven shots behind leader Casandra Alexander.

Maguire birdied nine of the first 15 holes in a bogey-free round to lie in a tie for sixth position on 11 under.

Her birdie putt on the 18th for a 62 lipped out but the Cavan native will be happy to have returned to her best form after two opening rounds of 71.

Maguire picked up shots on successive holes between the second and the fourth, with further back-to-back birdies coming on the seventh and eighth as she posted 31 shots for her outward nine.

Further birdies followed for the Europe Solheim Cup player on the 10th, 12th, 14th and 15th holes.

Heavy rain led to a suspension of play during the afternoon as puddles formed around the County Kildare course but - in terms of occupying top spot in the leaderboard - it was business as usual for South African Alexander, who has led the tournament from day one.

Alexander fired a 69 to hold a three-shot lead over Czech player Sara Kouskova, whose 67 cut her deficit to the pacesetter by two shots to three - in comparison to her arrears at the end of day two.

Kajsa Arwefjaell matched Maguire's round of the day by carding a 63 to move to third place on 13 under with two fellow Swedes, Corinne Viden and Louise Rydqvist, one shot further back after posting third rounds of 69.

Finn Noora Komulainen shot a 66 to join Maguire on 11 under.

Anna Foster is next best of the Irish players on seven under, following an impressive 66, while Lily May Humphreys and Hannah Screen lead the English challenge on five under.