Golf

Ireland’s Anna Foster cards brilliant 65 to move into share of third spot at Q-School final

Sara Byrne and Anabel Wilson also in top 20 after three rounds in Marrakesh

Ireland's Anna Foster carded an eight-under 65 to move into a share of third position at the Ladies’ European Tour qualifying school final in Marrakesh. Photograph: Oisín Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images
Ireland's Anna Foster carded an eight-under 65 to move into a share of third position at the Ladies’ European Tour qualifying school final in Marrakesh. Photograph: Oisín Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images
Wed Dec 18 2024 - 17:16

Ireland’s Anna Foster moved into a share of third position at the Ladies’ European Tour qualifying school final in Marrakesh on Wednesday after carding a brilliant eight-under 65 in her third round.

The 23-year-old Dubliner made nine birdies in compiling the round of the week at par-73 Al Maaden course, one of two in play over the 90-hole event. The top 20 after the five rounds will receive Category 12 playing rights on next year’s tour.

Foster moved to 11 under and is two shots off the lead of Spain’s Blanca Fernandez, with Ecuador’s Daniela Darquea on 12 under.

Foster had three birdies on her front nine, but it was her back nine where her putter got hot with a birdie on the 11th followed by four birdies in a row on holes 13 through 16, before finishing in style with a final birdie on the 18th.

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“I got off to a good start,” said Foster. “The only thing I was really trying to do today was play the par-5s well and then anything more would have been a bonus.

“I did well on the par-5s and then my putter was hot today, so I have to thank her for that. I just got on a roll and then the hole just got bigger and bigger as the day went on. A solid round.

“By the fourth birdie [in a row], I was just like this has to stop soon and it did the next hole. It was great to get some momentum, and I really love this golf course. I think it just suits my eye, and it will just be about trying to bring that momentum into tomorrow now and give myself some confidence and self-belief from today.

“Almost there, it’s been a long slog but I’m just trying to almost count down the holes now until home time. I’m just trying to stay as present and patient as possible. It’s such a long week. You can’t really get ahead of yourself in a good or bad way. I’m really proud of myself today.”

Cork’s Sara Byrne (70) and Lurgan’s Anabel Wilson (68) remain on course for a top 20 slot as they share 12th position on seven under after playing their third rounds on the par-72 Royal Marrakech layout.

Canice Screene is in a tie for 26th after carding a three-over 76 but Olivia Mehaffey will need a very low score to make the 72-hole cut for the top-65 and ties as she is presently in a share of 109th position on six over.

Players finishing 21st to 50th (including ties) after the fifth and final round will earn Category 16 exemptions, with those outside the top 50 winning Category 19 status.