Gainer, a No. 129-ranked Englishwoman, and Ruffels, a 71st-ranked Australian, will be in the final group at the Evian Championship on Sunday.

Golf wasn't the first love of Cara Gainer or Gabriela Ruffels, who grew up wanting to be professional tennis players and came close to making it.

Both Gabriela Ruffels and Cara Gainer started playing golf at age 14, the same age Jeeno Thitikul won her first event on the LET.

Golf wasn't Cara Gainer's or Gabriela Ruffels's first love, but now, they lead one of the LPGA's most prestigious events in France.

A trio of Australians are eyeing more major glory as Gabriela Ruffels and England’s Cara Gainer share a one-shot lead on 11-under par after the third round of the Evian Championship on Saturday.

Ruffels was a guest of fellow Australian Todd Woodbridge—who won nine doubles titles at Wimbledon—and had a chance to watch that major before playing in this major at Evian Resort Golf Club. She was treated as a VIP.

Cara Gainer and Gabriela Ruffels, initially aspiring tennis professionals, now aim for a major win in golf. Ranked 129 and 71, they lead at the Evian Championship, sharing close ties with tennis. Their journeys reflect a shift from early tennis ambitions to significant golf achievements.

Three Australian women loom large at the top of the leaderboard at the Evian Championship, with more major glory in their sights.

Another pristine day is on tap at the LPGA's most picturesque stop. The third round of the Amundi Evian Championship features a board peppered with players who've already hoisted trophies this season, including leader Somi Lee, Jennifer Kupcho, Rio Takeda and Jeeno Thitikul.

Fellow Australians Stephanie Kyriacou (-1), Hira Naveed and Robyn Choi (E) made good starts to the fourth women’s major of the year, while Hannah Green, Cassie Porter (+2) and Karis Davidson (+3) will need to bounce back to make the cut.