Caroline Hedwall is the clear leader at the LET Q-SchoolMartina Gillen battled howling winds to keep her card hopes alive at the Ladies European Tour Q-School in Spain.

The Beaverstown ace fired a three over 76 on the South Course at La Manage to move up to tied 27th after three rounds.

Gillen must finish in the top 30 after tomorrow’s final round to retain her card. But Royal County Down amateur Danielle McVeigh needs a miracle to make the four round cut today after an 82 left her 10 shots outside the top 50 on 23 over.

Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall is the only player in red figures after a 72 gave her a six-shot lead on six under.

Hedwall, the 2008 World Amateur Champion, said that she was used to playing in the wind from time to time at Oklahoma State University.

With four birdies and one bogey on the front nine, she cruised to a seven shot lead over the rest of the field by the turn. She came back in one-over after a bogey, a double and a closing birdie, posting one of only four sub par rounds all day.

“I played really solid through the front nine and had a lot of birdie chances. I made a few. I played solid on the back nine too it’s just I had two bad holes. I three-putted on 14 and then on 15 I ended up hitting a palm tree so I was in the middle of the bushes from off the tee.

“I had to drop it unplayable and then I hit it up but missed the green and chipped and two putted, but I made a birdie on 18 so it was a nice finish,” Hedwall explained.

“It was really difficult and really windy so I just tried to hit the greens and two-putt all the time. I hit 15 greens. It was chilly near the end and with five holes left I took out my gloves.”