Amateur Canice Screene got off to a hot start in her quest for an LET card when she went bogey-free for the first time in her career at the Lalla Aicha Q-School in Morocco.

The English golfer, whose parents are from Ireland, opened with a five-under 68 at Al Maaden Golf Marrakech to share fourth place in the race to make the top 20 and ties after five rounds who will win the strongest cards.

Scores

“I started off with a birdie which was nice and then I finally rolled some putts in,” said the reigning AIG Irish Close champion, who is studying for a masters at University College London.

“They were almost there last week, so it was nice to have them finally go in. I holed a couple of good par putts to keep the momentum going, but overall, it was pretty steady.

“My dad is my caddie – he’s the best! I love having him as my caddie, we work really well together. I do most things myself so he’s there for the conversation and to make sure the clubs are clean. He’s great.

“Even though it’s seemingly tight [at Royal], I don’t think it’s too bad. I have played courses that are worse. You can be as aggressive with your approach shots and the greens aren’t incredibly quick, so I’m going to try and do the same thing.”

Douglas’ Sara Byrne scorched to the turn in six-under 30 at Royal Golf Marrakech and while she came home in two-over, a four-under 68 left her tied for fifth.

“Obviously, I went through the first nine holes six-under,” said Byrne, “Just everything was solid, I was hitting fairways, and it was hitting fairly close.

“I didn't have too many long putts for birdie either, which was really nice, so I was just hitting really solid. I slowed up a little bit on the back nine, but honestly it was just a three-putt and not an up-and-down, everything else was really solid out there.”

Elm Park’s Anna Foster was tied for 24th after a two-under 71 at Al Maaden, where Olivia Mehaffey shot a level par 73 to share 56th.

Annabel Wilson was 108th after a three-over 75 at Royal Golf Marrakech, where Ecuador’s Daniela Darquea shot 65 to head a field which will be cut to the top 65 and ties after 72 holes