Lalla Aicha Q-School is now in full flow with the second day of Pre-Qualifiers complete across four different courses in Marrakech, Morocco.
A total of 255 players representing 49 different countries are vying for a spot at Ladies European Tour (LET) Final-Qualifying with the Pre-Qualifier consisting of a 54-hole stroke play tournament.
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 second day of Pre-Qualifiers in Marrakech…
DONEGAN GOES LOW TO LEAD AT FAIRMONT
Starting at Fairmont Royal Palm, Ireland’s Aine Donegan had a day to remember carding a 66 (-6) to soar into first position. The 23-year-old is one of the favourites for a card at Lalla Aicha Q-School having had a prolific collegiate career at LSU. She was also a member of the GB & I squad which won the 2024 Curtis Cup – a side which included LET winners Lottie Woad and Mimi Rhodes as well as Sara Byrne and Lorna McClymont. Donegan carded seven birdies on Thursday to move to eight-under par, five shots clear of the next best score.
“The round today went well, pretty similar to yesterday just with less mistakes,” the Irishwoman said. “I played really solid. I’ve found the Q-School experience really good so far. All the LET staff have been great as well. I’m looking forward to another round tomorrow.”
In solo second spot sits Finland’s Katri Bakker on three-under par following rounds of 70-71. The 24-year-old is the sister of Krista Bakker who competed on the LET for half a decade.
English duo Lianna Bailey and Jess Baker share third on two-under par. Another Englishwoman, amateur Chantal El Chaib, is in fifth place alongside Switzerland’s Vanessa Knecht, Scotland’s Louise Duncan and South Africa’s Gabrielle Venter. The full leaderboard can be found here.
GAILEY STILL ON TOP AT NORIA GOLF
Over at Noria Golf, USA’s Victoria Gailey kept up her fine form firing a second round 70 (-3) to lead by fives shots on eight-under par. Playing overseas for the first time this week, Gailey carded five birdies and dropped just two shots on Thursday to give herself plenty of breathing room.
“I got here early because this is my first time overseas,” the American said. “I had to make sure I had plenty of time to adjust to jetlag. I feel like I’ve had a really good game plan and the course is in great shape. If you’re feeling it, the greens are rolling true.
“I’m from Portland, Oregon and turned pro about two years ago. I’ve been playing on the ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour. I got a win there during my rookie year and then got some Epson Tour starts. I looked into the logistics of coming over here and giving the LET a try. I wanted to go on an adventure so have taken the leap! I’ve been working really hard over the past two months and am happy to be here.”
In a tie for second on three-under par sit LET appearance centurions Tvesa Malik from India and Magdalena Simmermacher from Argentina.
“It’s been good so far,” Malik said. “I’ve putted well which has been nice. I’m happy. I had a good break before I came out here which was refreshing. I feel good about my golf so I’m focused on that. I’m sure it helps that I’ve been here before. I think I’ll bank on that over the next week.”
Another American in search of an LET card, Anna Morgan, sits solo fourth on two-under par. Chilean amateur Michelle Melandri and USA’s Sarah Kahn are fifth on one-under par. The full leaderboard can be found here.
MOODLEY MOVES INTO THE LEAD AT SAMANAH GOLF
South Africa’s Kaiyuree Moodley produced a round of 68 (-4) to hold a three-shot lead at the end of day two of the Pre-Qualifier held at Samanah Golf by Nicklaus. The 24-year-old sat in second place overnight after an opening 69 (-3) and fired a 68 to lead on seven-under-par. Moodley rolled in three birdies on the trot on holes four, five and six before adding another on the ninth. She dropped her only shot of the day on the 17th but bounced back with a birdie on the last to lead by three.
The South African said: “Yesterday I spoke about minimising errors and playing simple golf, I think I did that today and did that very well. My mindset tomorrow is the same as today, to play simple golf – I think that’s really underrated. The hard work has been done so I’m trying to stay competitive, give myself chances and minimise mistakes.”
Iceland’s Gudrun Bjorgvinsdottir is in solo second place on four-under-par thanks to an excellent 66 (-6) on day two. Bjorgvinsdottir dropped only one shot on the 11th making birdies on the 4th, 5th, 9th and 13th before finishing with three birdies in her final three holes.
“It was quite effortless,” said Bjorgvinsdottir. “I had one drive that ended up in a bunker where I was able to save a good par. I made seven birdies today, most of them came from shorter putts but I made a long hole out on my last hole which was a great way to end the day.
“I feel as prepared as I could. I have been home for a couple of weeks where I have been practicing indoors but then I went with three other players to Alicante for a couple of days which was a big help to get back on gras and play some real golf. Tomorrow, I will just keep doing what I have been doing. Getting myself into birdie opportunities and making the best swing I can every shot.”
Four players are in a share of third place with Swedish duo Lovisa Gunnar and Emelie Borggren alongside USA’s Amy Lee and France’s Gala Dumez. American Jennifer Rosenberg is in solo seventh with four players one shot further back on even par at the 36-hole mark. The full leaderboard can be found here.
BUNNABODEE CONTINUES FINE FORM AT OURIKA
Thailand’s Kan Bunnabodee fired another round of 68 (-4) on day two to hold the 36-hole lead at PalmGolf Marrakech Ourika. The 23-year-old made birdies on the 3rd, 6th and 7th before her only dropped shot of the day on the 9th. On the back nine, she rolled in another birdie on the 11th and 18th to lead with a total of eight-under-par in Morocco.
The Thai star said: “I think what makes me play consistently is I keep telling myself to play one shot at a time and not thinking too much about the result. My tee shots were great today, and I will also give some credit to my irons today because three of my birdies were from close distances. My mindset will be the same that I’ll be focusing on a present and play one shot at a time.”
Northern Ireland’s Olivia Mehaffey is one shot behind in second place after a round of 69 (-3) which included six birdies and three bogeys in Morocco.
“I played the par-5s nicely today,” said Mehaffey. “I hit three of them in two. Then I hit two wedges to two feet which was fun.
“I have the same plan for tomorrow as the first two days really. Just focusing on each shot and the same strategy on course. Having played Q-School before you know what to expect, it definitely helps having the experience of knowing what the week involves and managing the emotions of it.”
South Africa’s Caitlyn Macnab is in outright third place on five-under-par after rounds of 70-69 on the first two days. Sweden’s Corinne Viden fired the round of the week with a flawless 66 (-6) to move into T4 alongside Ireland’s Canice Screene.
“It’s always nice to be bogey-free,” said the Swede. “The strongest part of my game was my long game. I kept giving myself birdie opportunities and stayed out of trouble. Thanks to the LET physio Nav, my body feels great and I can swing the way I want to.”
England’s Rebecca Earl, Thailand’s Mim Sangkapong, Scotland’s Hannah Darling and France’s Margot Rouquette are one shot further back in T6. The full leaderboard can be found here.
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