France’s Gwladys Nocera has joined her fellow countrywoman Joanna Klatten at the top of the leaderboard at the midway point of the LACOSTE Ladies Open de France being played at the Chantaco Golf Club in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

Nocera fired a seven-under-par 63 on the second straight day of hot and humid conditions at Chantaco to join the first-round leader Klatten on 10-under-par.

The pair is two shots clear of South African Lee-Anne Pace. England’s Charley Hull, Spaniard Azahara Munoz and another French player Valentine Derrey share fourth place at seven-under.

In scorching temperatures of 30C, Klatten maintained her lead with a 66 containing an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys. “I’m very happy with my round and very happy with how I handled things today,” said the 28-year-old from Paris.

Former European No.1 Nocera, who attracted the largest group of spectators on course, showed her experience as she hit 16 greens in regulation and made 29 putts. The 11-time LET champion rolled in five birdie putts on the front nine, before picking up three further birdies and one bogey on the back nine.

She said: “Today was really fun. I started on the first tee and hit my shot really close, made an easy birdie, then hit the ball really well and made a few putts early on so it gave me good confidence. I know I’m hitting the ball really well at the moment so it’s a matter of making putts. It happened today so it’s a big bonus.”

Nikki Campbell and Rebecca Artis are the leading Aussies at four-under-par. Campbell was out early and posted her second consecutive round of 68, while Artis birdied the 18th to signed for a three-under-par 67. The pair shares 10th position with five other players.

Lindsey Wright (70) and Bree Arthur (66) share 17th place a further shot back. Stacey Keating (71) and Sarah Kemp (67) are both at one-under par and tied for 26th, while Alison Whitaker posted a three-under-par 67 to be an even par for the tournament and tied for 37th. Stephanie Na (69) also made the week-end and is at one-over and tied for 42nd.

52 players will play the week-end after the cut was made to the top 50 and ties, which fell at two-over.

Unfortunately Nikki Garrett sustained an injury during the second round and finished well back at nine-over.