Leona in touch as Bronte Law blasts 62 to lead card chase
Ladies European Tour 2018. Final Qualifying School, Amelkis Golf Club, Marrakech, Morocco. December 15-20 2018. Leona Maguire of Ireland during the third round. Credit: Tristan Jones
England’s Bronte Law fired a tour record nine birdies in a row in a 10-under 62 to leave former Curtis Cup teammate Leona Maguire five shots adrift at the Lalla Aicha Tour School in Morocco
The Stockport talent (23) equalled the course record in the third round at Amelkis Golf Club in Marrakesh, making 12 birdies and two bogeys to lead on 13-under par with two rounds to go in the 90-hole race for Ladies European Tour cards.
Slieve Russell star Maguire (24) birdied two of her last four holes to card a two-under 70 that leaves her in a four-way tie for fourth on eight-under par.
The Cavan native is well-placed as the top five (no ties) after tomorrow's fifth-round earn category 5c membership for 2019 with those ranked from sixth to 25th exempt in category eight.
But she's got some work to do to catch Law, who equalled Linnea Strom's 10-day old course record to lead by a shot from the Swede, who shot 68, and by four shots from France's Manon Gidali.
She said: “I made a good putt on the first hole, so I was pleased with that and then I made bogeys on three and four. Three was a tough pin and I just missed the green and didn’t get up and down, but four kind of irritated me. I was not far from the hole at all and I ended up three-putting.
Ladies European Tour 2018. Final Qualifying School, Amelkis Golf Club, Marrakech, Morocco. December 15-20 2018. Bronty Law of England during the third round. Credit: Tristan Jones
“From there, it kick started. I made a birdie on the next hole and started hitting some really close ones. I had three tap-ins, which makes a difference. I started to see a couple of putts go in and once you see some putts go in, you believe that the lines you’re picking are good lines. It was nice to feel confident over the ball.”
She credited her new caddie, Scotland’s Jeff Brighton as a significant motivating factor, adding: “Me and my caddie were bouncing off each other, saying, ‘What do I get if I make three more birdies?’ For every three in a row I get 40 dollars. So then, he was giving me some banter about it and I had three more.
“Then he said, ‘Well if we get to seven, we’ll start talking real money.’ Then he said, ‘If you get to nine, then we’ll start talking even more money.’ I said, ‘How much money are we talking here?’ He joked around with me, which always makes it easier out there.
“On the last three holes, he said: ‘For every birdie you make, I’ll give you £20.’ So I birdied two of the last three and made myself a little bit of money out there today. I would have made quite a lot of money in a skins game.
Bronte Law and caddie Jeff Brighton during the third round. Credit: Tristan Jones
“It was good. I was playing some good golf and I started to hole some putts, which can make a huge difference. I was pleased with how I played. I played steady and it’s always nice to feel in control of your game.
“It’s the first time we’ve worked together, but he’s going to be working for me next year, so part of the reason I brought him out here was to use this as a good set-up for the year and to get to know each other.”
Another former PING Junior Solheim Cup player, who has The 2019 Solheim Cup in her sights, is 23-year-old Ström, who had a third round of 68 at Palm Golf Ourika.
She said: “Overall I played very steady today. I started off well but I didn’t make many putts in the beginning so it was a little bit frustrating on the front nine. I made the turn at even par and then got a birdie on 10 and had three more coming in. It was steady and I hit the flag stick on hole number four, so that was fun.
“I’m looking forward to the next two days. I’m excited to play at Amelkis again because I really like that course, especially after that score last week. I’m going to go out and have fun, with my brother on the bag.”
Gidali was pleased with her 69 at Palm Golf Ourika and said: “I started well but then I think I got a little stressed and the putts just didn’t go in. I finished with a bogey on 16, which is okay, but I’m pretty happy about my round.”
The 115-strong field will be cut to the leading 60 and ties after today’s fourth round before the final round will be played at Amelkis Golf Club on Thursday, when positions will determine playing categories for the 2019 Ladies European Tour.
