<p>Aine Donegan. Picture Tristan Jones/LET</p>
Lahinch’s Aine Donegan cruised to a five-shot win in pre-qualifying for the Lalla Aicha Q-School and insisted she must reset for next week’s Final Stage battle for Ladies European Tour cards.
The former Curtis Cup winner (23) followed rounds of 70 and 66 with a seven-birdie, five-under 67 to win with ease on 13-under par in Morocco.
“Everything was pretty solid this week, both golf-wise and mentally,” the Ennis native said after leading home the 21 qualifiers at Fairmont Royal Palm Golf & Country Club in Marrakech.
“I never really got ahead of myself today, knowing I had the lead.
“I just stayed patient and kept thinking about the next shot. I was really happy with how I kept myself together.
“I’ve got to completely forget about this week now. Next week is a totally new tournament across two different courses. I’ll take it shot by shot and one day at a time.
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and I’ll just try to enjoy it. So far, I’ve had a great time. I’ll have some rest tomorrow, then get back to it next week.”
Donegan was one of three Irish players to come through pre-qualifying and join Annabel Wilson in the 156-strong field at next week’s Final Stage, where the top 20 and ties after five rounds will be awarded LET status.
They’ll be joined at Al Maaden Golf and Royal Golf Marrakech by Olivia Mehaffey, who shot a two-over 74 at Palm Golf Marrakech to finish third, five shots behind the winner on five under, and Canice Screene, who was fifth on two under after a 72.
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<img alt="Sam Murphy and Aine Donegan" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52780078e4b0782c048f31cb/1765570594777-7K0K4D8S6G26C0UL192C/54978268763_3f9c77f8c0_5k.jpg?format=1000w" /><br />
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<img alt="Olivia Mehaffey" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52780078e4b0782c048f31cb/1765570598202-2EQ7U198KNIEHC28EEJ3/54978777882_96e26ef05b_5k.jpg?format=1000w" /><br />
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Amateur Olivia Hunt improved with a 76 but finished 13 strokes outside the qualifying places.
PalmGolf Marrakech Ourika Tournament Page
Fairmont Royal Palm Golf & Country Club Tournament Page
Noria Golf Club Tournament Page
Samanah Golf by Nicklaus Tournament Page
In Florida, it was another frustrating day for David Carey at the final stage of the PGA TOUR Q-School in Florida.
After opening with a devastating, seven-over 77 at Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass, the Dubliner (29) made an eagle, two birdies, six bogeys, and a closing double-bogey in a four-over 74 at Sawgrass Country Club to sit near the back of the field on 11 over at halfway.
Carey is not only a long way outside the top five who will win PGA TOUR cards, but he’s also more than a dozen shots outside the next 40 players who will be awarded strong Korn Ferry Tour status.
Meanwhile, Eugenio Chacarra will take a two-stroke lead into the weekend at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.
The Spaniard carded an entertaining, six-under 66 at Royal Johannesburg to lead on 15-under par from South Africa’s Jayden Schaper.
“I started out very well, but the conditions were tricky with the wind,” said Chacarra, who eagled the first and birdied the third.
“I didn’t have my best stuff on the back nine, but overall it was good golf, and there is still plenty of golf to play.”
Schaper shot 64 to climb to 13 under par as he aims to go one better than his runner-up finish in last week’s Nedbank Golf Challenge.
“Last week was a good week for me, and I just wanted to continue with that,” Schaper said. “I’ve had to adjust a little to the yardages here, but I’ve done that now.
“This is a very familiar golf course for me. I’m right where I want to be for the weekend.”