Storylines of breakthrough and redemption are afoot at the Ladies European Tour Q-School pre-qualifier as Olivia Mehaffey, Canice Screene and Áine Donegan all started well on day one in Morocco.
At Palm Golf, Mehaffey holds a share of the lead on four-under alongside Thailand’s Kan Bunnabodee after an opening round of 68.
Mehaffey who lost her LET privileges in 2024, played a mixed schedule on the main tour and the LET Access circuit but she is looking to secure full playing rights and to have a chance she needs to qualify for the final stage next week in Marrakesh.
The Tandragee woman lit up the back nine which was her front, with birdies on the tenth, eleventh, fifteenth and a chip in birdie at the eighteenth before adding to that tally on the fourth, her only blemish came on the sixth but she was pleased with her round.
The 28-year-old hasn’t played an event since September but felt ready after some good preparation in Arizona.
“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.”
Screene, competing at the same venue as Mehaffey, also balanced the main tour and LET Access this year and is looking for a full card next year. She is joint third after a two-under 70.
The top-20 and ties will advance to final stage.
Amateur Olivia Hunt has work to do after an opening 77 which leaves her in a share of 37th on five-over.
Meanwhile, at Fairmont Royal Palm Golf & Country Club, Lahinch star Donegan shares second place on two-under-par after a round of 70.
Embarking on her professional journey, she is just one shot behind leader Jess Baker.
The top-19 and ties will qualify for next week’s final stage.
Scoring HERE
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