Hillier is one shot behind Spanish leader Carmen Alonso and level with Scotland's Gabrielle Macdonald, a rookie on the Ladies European Tour.

The West Australian shot a four-under-par 67 at Evian Resort Golf Club.

The winner of this week's tournament will earn a place in the Amundi Evian Championship in July at the same venue.

A week ago, Hillier earned her first triumph on the Ladies European Tour after a decade of trying.

In the Thai homeland of her mother, Hillier captained her mixed fourball to a three-shot victory in the Tour's debut Aramco Team Series event in Bangkok.