Olivia Mehaffy
Four Irish players are in position to join Douglas’ Sara Byrne at the next week’s Final Stage of the Ladies European Tour’s Lalla Aicha Q School in Morocco.
Olivia Mehaffey (27) added a level par 73 to her opening 72 to share sixth place with only the top 24 and ties after Thursday’s final round progressing from her 54-hole pre-qualifier at Noria Golf Club in Marrakesh.
Mehaffey won her card at the Q-School in 2021, just days after the death of her father following a long battle with cancer, but has endured a difficult few seasons due to mental health challenges.
The reigning AIG Irish Women’s Close champion, amateur Canice Screene from Croham Hurst in the UK, is also inside the top 24 with a round to go.
Screene following a first round 75 with a four-over 77 to share 21st on six-over at Noria.
Former Curtis Cup player Annabel Wilson is joint eighth on one over after carding a level par 72 in her second round at Samanah, where the top 23 and ties will go through.
Elm Park’s Anna Foster is also well-placed after she shot a second round 75 to share seventh on level par in the race to make the top 23 and ties who progress at Palm Golf Ourika.
The rest of the Irish hopefuls are well off the pace in their bids to make it to the Final Stage.
Abigail O’Riordan shot a second round 81 that left her 39th on 21 over at Rotana, 15 shots outside the top 24.
Amateurs Mairead Martin and Olivia Hunt are also out of the running to make the top 23 at Rotana.
Martin is 58th on 19 over after rounds of 81 and 81 with Hunt three shots further back after rounds of 82 and 84.