Kirkwood in late charge

Pettersen claimed the Rookie of the Year title

Britain's Rachel Kirkwood put herself in contention for victory in the Biarritz Classic in France by shooting a second round 65.

On five under 135, she is in a group of four just one stroke off the lead.

Spain's Marina Arruti, who had a 66, and France's Jehanne Jail, who added a 71 to her course-record 63, currently share top spot going into the final day.

Kirkwood, from Burton-on-Trent, has a best finish of 59th in the Irish Open this season and is down at 109th on the Order of Merit.

Favourite

She needs to climb into the top 90 by the end of play on Saturday to avoid a return to next month's qualifying school in Portugal.

Norway's Suzann Pettersen, the French Open winner, shot a 68 to move to 139.

That was good enough to clinch the Rookie of the Year title, ahead of France's Karine Icher.

Favourite going into the final day in France is Order of Merit winner Raquel Carriedo.

The 30-year-old Solheim Cup player shot 70 and is alongside Kirkwood at just one shot off the lead.

Leading scores:

134 J Jail (Fra) 63 71, M Arruti (Spa) 68 66
135 R Kirkwood 70 65 (US), N Karlsson (Swe) 68 67, A-B Sanchez (Spa) 66 69, R Carriedo (Spa) 65 70
136 R Lautens (Swi) 67 69, S Giquel (Fra) 63 73, L Lambert (Aus) 64 72, K Taylor (US) 68 68
137 M Monnet (Fra) 66 71, A Larraneta 70 67 (Spa) 138 D Reid (US) 69 69