Fernanda Lira produced a sensational opening round of 62 (-11) at Al Maaden Golf Marrakech to lead the Final Qualifier by three shots.
The Mexican began her round with a birdie on the first before rolling in an eagle on the fourth and then adding another eagle on the seventh.
Immediately after her second eagle, she rolled in three birdies on the trot on holes eight, nine and ten before adding back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13 with her final birdie coming on the 16th hole.
The 28-year-old set a women’s course record at Al Maaden with a total of 11-under-par and holds a three-shot lead at the end of the first day.
“I’m very proud of myself,” she said. "All my putts were dropping in. I only two putted once on the front nine and I had a couple of 360s too which dropped. Today, the golf gods blessed me.”
Lira, who will tee it up at Royal Golf de Marrakech in the second round, finished in second place at last week’s Pre-Qualifier which was played at Samanah Golf after a final round of 65 (-7) and she has carried that momentum into this week.
She explained: “Last week in the pre-qualifier I ended up with a seven-under on the final day. I think that fed into today. I knew I was playing good. I know it’s a long way to go but it’s nice to have an 11-under to start.
“I’ll try to do it again when I’m back here again. I have a good set up with my 3-hybrid so tomorrow I’ll stick to that. It looks much tighter, but it opens up after it’s landed.”
Spain’s Luna Sobron Galmes and Slovenia’s Ana Belac sit in a share of second place after they both carded rounds of 65 (-8) at Al Maaden.
The duo were each bogey-free, respectively, with Sobron rolling in eight birdies while Belac had six birdies and an eagle on her scorecard.
“My putter was on fire today! I hit good second shots into the par-5s too which was key. My tee shots were good. I’m very happy,” said Sobron.
Belac explained: “I was very steady today. I didn’t make any mistakes. I didn’t get off to a quick start, was only two-under after the front nine. But I knew there were a lot of birdies out there and I didn’t get impatient.
“It was a nice finish, I went eagle, birdie, and holed out with a wedge on my second last hole. Overall, it was very stress free. I hit the ball off the tee really well and put myself in lots of good spots.
Spain’s Teresa Diez Moliner and Finland’s Linda Osala are in a tie for fourth place on seven-under-par with England’s Amy Taylor one shot further back in sixth place – the trio all played at Al Maaden.
Six players are in a share of seventh place with Aunchisa Utama, Pranavi Urs, Nataliya Guseva, Shannon Tan, Florentyna Parker and Lakareber Abe all on five-under-par.
Thailand’s Utama fired a bogey-free round of 67 (-5) at Royal Golf de Marrakech with her birdies coming on the first, fourth, 16th, 17th and 18th holes.
“I have wanted to play on the LET for so long! A couple of years ago I planned with Trichat [Cheenglab] and I was going to apply to Q-School with her last year, but I couldn’t make it. I have come this year.
“I play together with Trichat at home. She is such an inspiration for us. We have four Thai players here this week – it’s a good thing!”
Guseva, who began her round on the 10th hole, had six birdies and only one dropped shot to start her campaign.
“It was pretty good,” said Guseva. “It’s a huge confidence for my game. I love the LET and have always dreamed to be out here, so that was always a goal for me. It’s nice to be here!”
The second round begins at 9.30 am (local time) with the players teeing it up on the opposite course to the first round.
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Competition format
90 holes of stroke-play competition with a cut after 72 holes with top 65 and ties progressing to the final day. For the first four rounds, competitors will alternate between Royal Golf Marrakech and Al Maaden Golf Marrakech. The fifth round will be played on Al Maaden Golf Marrakech.
What the players receive
Status received upon successful completion:
- Category 12: Qualifying-School Top 20 – Players finishing Nos. 1-20 (and ties)
- Category 16: #21-50 Qualifying-School – Players finishing Nos. 21-50 (and ties)
- Category 19: Remaining Final Qualifiers – Players finishing outside the Top 50 and ties
Any players who make the cut but finish outside the Top 50 and ties will be eligible for Let Membership in Category 19. Players who fail to make the cut after 72 holes will be eligible for LET Membership in Category 19. In all categories players will be ranked in final score order.
