Dec 20,2024
Ireland's Anna Foster produced a round of 70 (-2) at Royal Golf Marrakech to be in solo fifth place on 13-under-par ahead of the last round of at the Ladies European Tour's Lalla Aicha Q-School.
Foster, who is one of three Irishwomen recently turned pro currently inside the mark to earn a card, had shot up to outright third after a 65 at Al Maaden on Wednesday.
A top-20 finish would ensure a category 12 membership for next year that would entitle her to play in almost all Ladies European Tour events.
"It’s funny, I shot one-under here the other day, and I felt like I played a lot better here today," said Foster. "I was reminding myself of that throughout the round when I wasn't at the same score,"
"I stayed super-patient and kept grinding it out and finally, a few dropped towards the end which was great to see. Especially, the last five holes, just being able to bring that momentum into tomorrow will be great.
"My short game in general was good, I had to do a bit of work today. I give a lot of credit to my scrambling, it’s quite an intimidating course to play in comparison to Al Maaden, so really trying to plot your way around is the main focus.
"All I was trying to do was fairway, green, two-putt, next hole. To make a few birdies was a bonus."
Ecuadorian Daniela Darquea fired a round of 66 (-7) at Al Maaden Golf Marrakech for the second time to hold a two-shot lead at the top of the leaderboard.
Germany's Polly Mack produced a bogey-free round for the third day in a row carding a 66 (-7) at Al Maaden to be in second place on 17-under-par.
Two players are in a tie for third place with Wales' Darcey Harry and Spain’s Teresa Toscano both on 15-under-par.
Spain’s Toscano shot a round of 69 (-4) around Al Maaden on day four which included six birdies and two bogeys.
Harry, who finished in a share of first place at last week’s Pre-Qualifier at Palm Golf Ourika, fired a round of 67 (-6).
South Africa's Danielle Du Toit and Spain’s Blanca Fernandez both sit alongside Garvey in T6 after rounds of 68 (-4) and 73 (+1), respectively at Royal.
Sweden’s Michaela Finn (67 and Northern Ireland’s Annabel Wilson (69) ended the day in share of ninth place on 11-under-par with Sweden’s Ellinor Südow one shot further back in 11th place and Ireland's Sara Byrne (72) in joint 13th (-8).
Irish amateur Canice Screene is still in contention for a top-20 spot, a 71 left her one shot off that mark on -5. A top-50 finish would still earn her a category 16 membership and Tour playing rights.
The cut fell at +1 with 70 players making it through to tomorrow's final round - which will be played at Al Maaden Golf - but not Olivia Mehaffey (73), who finished on seven over.
