Anna Foster: “I’m just trying to stay as present and patient as possible.”
Elm Park’s Anna Foster roared into contention for a Ladies European Tour card when she carded a blistering eight-under 65 in the third round of the Lalla Aicha Q-School in Morocco.
Riding a hot putter, the former Auburn University star (23) made nine birdies at Al Maaden Golf Marrakech, including five in her last six holes, to jump into a tie for third on 11-under. “I did well on the par-fives and then my putter was hot today, so I have to thank her for that,” said Foster, who is just two shots behind Spain’s Blanca Fernandez. “I just got on a roll and then the hole just got bigger and bigger as the day went on. A solid round.”
Annabel Wilson shot a four-under 68 and Sara Byrne a 70 at Royal Golf Marrakech to share 12th on seven-under with the top 20 and ties awarded strong Category 12 cards after five rounds,
“I’m just trying to stay as present and patient as possible,” Foster added. “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.”
Reigning AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close champion Canice Screene fought back from six-over after 12 holes to card a 76 at Al Maaden to share 26th on four-under in an event where players finishing between 21st and 50th after five rounds will earn Category 16 cards with those outside the top 50 ranked in Category 19. With only the top 65 and ties making the 72-hole cut today, Olivia Mehaffey has her work cut out after a 73 at Al Maaden left her 109th on six-over, five shots outside the projected cut mark.
Meanwhile, Paul Dunne and Niall Kearney made the 36-hole cut in their battle for just 35 cards at the final stage of the 90-hole Asian Tour Q-School at Lake View Resort and Golf Club in Thailand.
Dunne was one stroke outside the magic number on three-under after carding a level-par 71 in round two with Kearney scraping through the 36-hole cut on the two-over limit after signing for a two-over 73 in Hua Hin.
Only the top 70 and ties after 72 holes will qualify for the fifth and final round battle for 35 cards (no ties) on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Conor Purcell and Gary Hurley fly the flag in the DP World Tour’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, Sky Sports Golf, 8.30am
