Daniela Darquea fired a final round of 68 (-5) at Al Maaden Golf Marrakech to win the Final Qualifier at Lalla Aicha Q-School.
The Ecuadorian, who has been near the top of the leaderboard since the first round, rolled in back-to-back birdies on the third and fourth holes before also dropping a shot on the fifth.
Darquea rolled in another two birdies in a row on the sixth and seventh holes, as well as a bogey on the ninth to make the turn in -2.
On the back nine, the 29-year-old made further birdies on the 10th, 13th, 16th and 18th holes to seal a round of 68 and win with a score of 24-under-par.
“It means a lot. I came here with a goal and I think I accomplished it, I’m really happy and proud,” said Darquea.
“I had a lot of fun, I think that’s the main thing. I came here with a different mindset. I had a very stressful week last week at Q-Series in the US and this week has been very fun. There’s been lots of friends and people that I’ve been seeing and I’ve been just enjoying the competition.
“It was crazy. Darcey [Harry] played really good today. She made a couple of eagles and was eight-under today, so obviously it was a challenge. At the end, I wasn’t even sure if I had a chance to win because she was making a lot of putts and playing really good golf.”
Darquea is proud to be the first player from her country to secure a full card on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
She added: “A lot of people back home have been supporting and following me this week. I’m just so proud to be able to represent them. Ecuador is my home country and I’m so proud.”
Wales’ Darcey Harry had an excellent final day shooting a 65 (-8) to finish in second place on 23-under-par with Germany’s Polly Mack two shots further back in third place.
New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey also fired a final round of 65 (-8) which included an eagle, seven birdies, and one bogey to end the week in fourth place on 20-under-par.
“I’m feeling good, it was a pretty stress-free round for me today. I just wanted to put a low number and actually try and chase the lead down,” said Garvey, who had her cousin Jamie Tipper on the bag.
“I really love this course, and it suits my game, so I’m really proud of the way I finished the five days out here.
“Jamie [her caddie] is the reason why I’m here. I’ve struggled on Epson the last few years to get my LPGA card, and I just wanted to change it up a little bit.
“He’s been out here this year, and he said, I really think that you’ll like it out here. It was really nice to have him on the bag this week and just have a comfortable, familiar face. He’s done a really good job.”
Spain’s Teresa Toscano was fifth on 19-under-par with Spain’s Blanca Fernandez and Ireland’s Anna Foster both in T6 on 17-under-par.
Denmark’s Cecilie Finne-Ipsen fired the round of the week with a phenomenal 63 (-10) to secure her full playing rights on the LET in 2025.
Finne-Ipsen was bogey-free on the final day with the highlight being five birdies in a row on holes 12 through 16 to finish in T8 on 15-under-par.
“Honestly it feels surreal,” said the Dane. “I was super nervous when I first started out this morning, but a good putt on 12 as I started on the back, which got the ball rolling, and then I just tried to focus on every single shot.
“It’s not over until the last putt is down and I kept that feeling going and somehow ended up 10 under, which is absolutely amazing. I can’t even describe it.
“I think my best round was eight-under, so now it’s two shots better. It’s going to be a hard one to beat.
“I played the Pre-Qualifier as well, so I feel like it’s been a very long two weeks. I’ve just been trying to get as much rest after the rounds and just do my thing.
“I actually went to the pool every evening, it’s not cold enough, but I think it does something, so just gets my legs a little loose. I’m a little superstitious, so I kept doing it.
“I had category 16 last year, so getting my full card this year is absolutely amazing, and I can’t wait to be able to keep compete in all the events so I’m so excited to that.”
Alongside Finne-Ipsen in a share of eighth place was Northern Ireland’s Annabel Wilson, Sweden’s Michaela Finn and South Africa’s Danielle Du Toit.
Hong Kong’s Ginnie Ding and Sweden’s Ellinor Südow ended the competition in T12 on 14-under-par with Italy’s Anna Zanusso in 14th and Ireland’s Sara Byrne in 15th on the leaderboard.
Three players finished in a tie for 16th place with Argentina’s Magdalena Simmermacher, Italy’s Alessia Nobilio and India’s Avani Prashanth on 11-under-par.
Six players ended the week in a share of 19th place with Germany’s Verena Gimmy, French amateur Vanessa Bouvet, England’s Mimi Rhodes, Australia’s Kelsey Bennett, France’s Agathe Laisne and Alexandra Swayne of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Should they wish to accept and take up LET membership, a total of 24 players secured Category 12 membership for 2024 while 30 players clinched Category 16 membership.
Check out the full results from the Final Qualifier of Lalla Aicha Q-School here.
