She is now three strokes ahead of closest challenger Nasa Hataoka of Japan and is closing in on a first major title.

Heavy rain was forecast for the afternoon and as a result tee times were moved to the early morning at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France.

The 29-year-old Boutier made the most of the conditions by achieving five birdies and only one bogey.

"I'm feeling very satisfied with my round," said the world number 15.

"It was definitely a grind.

"I was able to start off pretty good.

"I missed a few shots in the beginning of the back nine, but was able to scramble, and so it was pretty positive and a solid round for me today.

"I didn't start that good to be honest.

"I missed the first three greens but got a good break on two and was able to chip in.

"Then I just had really good chances on the two par-fives, seven and nine, and was able to take advantage of that.

"I was just trying to focus on making, hitting a good shot, and if I happen to have a birdie opportunity, I hit a solid putt.

"It was definitely positive and felt pretty good to start very good on the front."

Hataoka shot 68 on the day and is followed by defending champion Brooke Henderson of Canada and 2021 winner Minjee Lee of Australia.

The pair are both four behind with an overall score of 206. 

The six-time Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour winner Hataoka made a strong start with a birdie on the first, before a bogey on the third, but she then rolled in four birdies in-a-row.

The world number two Nelly Korda moved into contention on six under par with a third-round best of 64.

The final day of competition is set to begin at 6:45am local time with Stephanie Meadow of Northern Ireland and the United States' Emma Talley teeing off before Boutier and Hataoka begin their last rounds at 12:25pm