Kelsey Bennett’s golf matched the weather on day one at the 2026 Lalla Meryem Cup as the Aussie fired a 68 (-5) in hot conditions to lead by two shots.
Playing in the afternoon wave on a sun-soaked Thursday at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam’s Blue Course, Bennett carded seven birdies and dropped two shots to leapfrog the early pace setters.
The card included two birdies in her first two holes as the 26-year-old continued her excellent start to the 2026 season.
“It was really solid,” Bennett said, a winner at this year’s Australian Women’s Classic. “Obviously starting off with two birdies always helps. Michael [Baines, my caddie] and I just went through some really good processes. I rolled in some nice putts too which always helps.”
The Australian currently sits fourth on the Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit following her maiden victory on home soil back in March.
“My goal this year is finishing inside the top-10 so I can go to LPGA Q-Series,” Bennett said. “Nothing overly different [now I have that win] – it’s a new week and a new golf course. New feelings. All that stuff.”
As we pan down into second position we have ourselves a stacked group in Morocco with 10 players locked on three-under par.
This group includes Singapore’s Shannon Tan, winner of last year’s Order of Merit, as well as fellow LET winners Ana Pelaez Trivino, Anna Huang and Chiara Noja. They are joined on the score by Ursula Wikstrom, Pranavi Urs, Hannah Screen, Teresa Toscano, Ayako Uehera and Dorthea Forbrigd.
Chasing a fourth LET victory, Tan said: “Three-under, bogey-free. I think I was pretty consistent out there today. It’s a treelined course but honestly I prefer that. I think I quite like this course. I feel comfortable around here.
“I got into two LPGA events so I’ve only played five LET events so far this year. It’s something I have to accept this year knowing I’ll be playing in more Majors. My schedule is flowing a lot better now but the focus is different. Last year I was focused on the Order of Merit. This year I’m focused on trying to do well in the Majors.”
It was a slow day for the Irish contingent with Anna Foster the best of them on level-par after a 73 with Áine Donegan a shot further back.
Sara Byrne is plus two after a 75 while Annabel Wilson carded a three-over 76.
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