Australian golfers Stacey Keating and Nikki Garrett are right in mix heading into the final round of the Ladies European Tour’s Tenerife Open.

Keating is outright second and just one shot back from German Caroline Masson, who leads at eight-under par after a hot and windy third round.

The Victorian posted a two-under-par 70 to move to seven-under-par for the tournament.

Keating played the front nine in level par and then double bogeyed the par-three 11th before making four birdies in her last six holes.

Garrett started the day with a one-shot lead but struggled in the conditions.

She went out in four-over-par, but two late birdies saved her round and kept her in the tournament at five-under and just three strokes from the lead.

Garrett has won her two LET titles in Spain.

The Australians are both chasing Masson, who moved a step closer to her second tour victory this season when she fired a two-under 70.

The recent South African Women’s Open champion was clearly at home in the tough conditions as she fired four birdies and two bogeys at Golf Las Americas for an eight-under total.

Second-placed Keating is one ahead of Frenchwoman Joanna Klatten.

“It was pretty tough,” Masson said.

“The wind was way stronger than the last days and we were in trouble the second it started and then pretty much every hole there were many, many rulings, lots of time.

“We were on the clock so I was a little stressed out sometimes.

“I’m glad I could finish two-under. I think that’s a good score in the wind and I’m just happy with my situation for tomorrow.”

Keating and Klatten will be looking for their maiden victory on the LET.

Another French player Celine Palomar (73) remains in contention on five-under alongside Garrett.

Keating won this tournament five years ago.