American Casey Danielson fired at one-under-par 71 on the Palm Golf Ourika Course in Marrakech on Monday to hold a two-stroke lead on 12-under-par after three rounds of the Ladies European Tour’s Lalla Aicha Tour School – Final Stage – for the 2018 season.
After playing her third round in warm and sunny conditions, Casey said: “It was pretty steady but nothing fancy. I missed a few short putts, which cost me about four strokes, but I had a great round of 66 at Amelkis yesterday and made a lot of putts, so I’m happy with my position. I’ve been here in Morocco for two weeks now and I’m having a great time and visiting a new country. I’m just giving it my all and that’s my goal.”
She is two strokes clear of Julia Engström, (below), the 16-year-old PING Junior Solheim Cup player from Sweden, who carded a level par third round of 72 on the Amelkis Course on Monday.
Finland’s Elina Nummenpaa is on seven-under-par in a share of third with compatriot Saana Nuutinen, Norwegian Caroline Lund and Manon Molle from France, who recently moved to Marrakech.
Nummenpaa (below) is a five-year member of the LET who is looking to regain her card after overcoming a back injury earlier in the year. She said: “The ball striking wasn’t the best today and the putting was a little off. It was a little bit of a struggle. The goal is top three but I am just going day by day, shot by shot. It’s a marathon this week.”
The five-round, or 90-hole, qualifier concludes on Wednesday when 25 players will earn cards for the 2018 LET season, including a higher category of membership for the top five.
