Lalla Aicha Q-School is now underway in Marrakech, Morocco with the first day of Pre-Qualifiers complete across four different courses.
A total of 255 players representing 49 different countries are vying for a spot at Final-Qualifying with the Pre-Qualifier on the Ladies European Tour (LET) consisting of a 54-hole stroke play tournament.
Following the first round of action, England’s Jess Baker leads the way at Fairmont Royal Palm Golf & Country Club with USA’s Victoria Gailey topping the standings at Noria Golf Club. Over at PalmGolf Marrakech Ourika, Thailand’s Kan Bunnabodee shares first place with Northern Ireland’s Olivia Mehaffey. France’s Gala Dumez leads at Samanah Golf by Nicklaus.
The top-19 players and ties at Fairmont, Noria and Samanah will advance to the Final-Qualifier with the top-20 players from PalmGolf making it through. Here is a more in-depth look at the first day of Pre-Qualifies in Marrakech…
BAKER IN FRONT AT TOP OF TIGHT LEADERBOARD AT FAIRMONT
England’s Jess Baker fired a flawless opening round of 69 (-3) to lead at the end of the first day of action at the Pre-Qualifier being held at Fairmont Royal Palm Golf & Country Club.
The 23-year-old rolled in birdies on the sixth, 11th and 17th holes to claim the solo lead on the Royal Palm Golf Course in Morocco.
Baker said: “My third birdie came on probably one of the toughest holes on the course, the 17th par-3. It played long today at 191 yards but just hit a beautiful six-iron and had a look at a hole in one! Rolled in the putt from seven feet.
“This is my second time at Q school so previous experience is definitely helpful. I feel much less intimidated this year, partly due to knowing what to expect and also the hard work I’ve put in towards the end of the season. Coming into the week, my game felt strong having ramped my intensity of practice up for the last six weeks especially. Same amount of hours but better intentions and quality. That gives me a lot of confidence moving forward and I hope to continue that for whatever lies ahead.”
Seven players sit just one shot behind with compariot Lianna Bailey, Spain’s Constanza Guerrero, French amateur Anais Guibal, Switzerland’s Vanessa Knecht, Ireland’s Aine Donegan, Australia’s June Song and Finland’s Katri Bakker all on two-under-par.
Bailey, who is celebrating her birthday today, had four birdies and two bogeys on her scorecard in Marrakech.
“I felt my prep was good overall,” she said. “I have been in Spain for the last week practicing at Finca Cortesin, which was amazing! I felt I managed the ball well on the whole, I didn’t have too many issues! My driver was good today and I holed some good putts for par and birdie.
Four players are one shot further back with South Africa’s Gabrielle Venter, Scotland’s Louise Duncan, Austria’s Lena Schilowsky and French amateur Yada Alliot in T9 on one-under. The full leaderboard can be found here.
BUNNABODEE AND MEHAFFEY LEAD AFTER DAY ONE AT OURIKA
Thailand’s Kan Bunnabodee and Northern Ireland’s Olivia Mehaffey sit atop the leaderboard with a score of four-under-par at the end of the first day of action at PalmGolf Marrakesh Ourika.
Bunnabodee had an excellent first round in Morocco only making one mistake – a double bogey on the 14th – while also rolling in six birdies.
“I played this course last year as well, so once I got allocated here, I knew what I had to work on before coming,” said the Thai player.
“The strongest part of my game today was my tee shots. My drives were mostly in the fairway, which gave me a good position to target the pin on my approach shots.
“Making the cut at the Aramco China Championship definitely gave me confidence for this week. It was my last tournament before Q-School, so I’m coming out here and trying my best to play like I did in China.”
Northern Ireland’s Mehaffey is also in a share of the lead after her opening round of 68 (-4) in Morocco.
The 28-year-old made birdies on holes 10, 11, 15 and 18 on her front nine, she then also rolled in another birdie on four before a dropped shot on six to seal her round of four-under.
“My preparation for Pre-Q has been good, although I haven’t played a tournament since La Sella. I went to Arizona for just over three weeks to practice in good weather before this,” said Mehaffey.
“Everything in my game today was pretty solid. I hit a lot of fairways and greens which helped me out. My birdies today mainly came from hitting two par-5s in two and then some wedges close. I had a chip-in birdie on the 18th [my ninth hole], which was fun.”
Ireland’s Canice Screene, South Africa’s Caitlyn Macnab and France’s Margot Rouquette are in a share of third place on two-under-par with five players sat on level par in T6. The full leaderboard can be found here.
DUMEZ STARTS STRONG TO LEAD AT SAMANAH GOLF
Over at Samanah Golf, France’s Gala Dumez fired a 68 (-4) to lead by one shot with just three other players under par.
Competing at Lalla Aicha Q-School for the first time, Dumez carded six birdies in the first round dropping a shot either side of the turn.
“I started off really well,” the Frenchwoman said. “The par-5 [12th] helped early on to get me in a really good rhythm to keep going. Putting was definitely the main thing today. A few nice ones dropped early on which put me in a good mindset.
“I played at Texas Tech for five years. Then I went into coaching for one year in college as well. Now I’m here. It’s my first time playing Q-School and I’m really excited. I learned a lot of things going coaching last year. I know Amy Taylor and Shannon Tan from Texas Tech. They’re doing great and are good friends of mine. Hopefully I can join them.”
In solo second on three-under par sits South Africa’s Kaiyuree Moodley. Competing at Q-School for the second consecutive year, Moodley had a solid day dropping just one shot at the par-4 18th. She posted three birdies in a row at the 3rd, 4th and 5th with her other red number coming at the 13th.
“I putted it really well and hit pretty much every fairway,” the South African explained. “I think you’ll always be nervous playing Q-School, whether you’ve come before or you’ve come three times before. I definitely think having a season on the LET has helped me deal with those nerves a little better. I’m way more prepared this year than I was last year. I’m so grateful to have played on the LET this year.
“Same again tomorrow. I just want to play simple golf. I’ll be happy with pars going around. Hit fairways, hit greens and two-putt. I really want to minimise any damage and not make any big mistakes.”
Spain’s Maria Villanueva and Indian amateur Saanvi Somu share third on one-under par. Five players share fifth spot on level-par, a group consisting of England’s Megan Dennis, Spain’s Marina Escobar Domingo – caddied by five-time LET winner Nuria Iturrioz – Sweden’s Emelie Borggren plus Spanish duo Alicia Fajardo Monzon and Ana Pina Ortega. The full leaderboard can be found here.
GAILEY SETS THE PACE AT NORIA GOLF
Finally at the square-greened Noria Golf, USA’s Victoria Gailey got off to a terrific start posting a round of 68 (-5) to lead by one shot.
Also competing at Lalla Aicha Q-School for the first time, the Oregon-born Gailey carded an eagle at the par-5 15th which followed three consecutive birdies. She also made birdie at the 7th and 9th dropping two shots at the 2nd and 11th.
In second spot is England’s Lauren Horsford on a score of four-under par.
“I felt good,” she said. “Practice went well over the last couple of days and the course suited my game. I managed to chip in for eagle which was a great feeling. Noria is a great course some of the best greens I’ve ever played on. It’s in great condition. I’ve never seen rectangle greens before so that’s a cool feature!
“I’ll go with a similar strategy as today maybe a couple of different choices off the tee on a couple of holes but overall a similar game plan as today.”
Two back sit Italy’s Emma Lundgren and Ekaterina Malakhova. The full leaderboard can be found here.
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