Elm Park’s Anna Foster roared into contention for a Ladies European Tour card when she fired an eight under 65 in the third round of the 90-hole 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, two shots behind Spain’s Blanca Fernandez.

Scores

“I got off to a good start,” said Foster, who made three birdies on her front nine and another at the 11th before following a bogey at the 12th with four birdies in a row from the 13th and another at the last..

“The only thing I was really trying to do today was play the par-5s well and then anything more would have been a bonus.

“I did well on the par-5s and then my putter was hot today, so I have to thank her for that. I just got on a roll and then the hole just got bigger and bigger as the day went on. A solid round.

“By the fourth birdie [in a row], I was just like this has to stop soon and it did the next hole. It was great to get some momentum, and I really love this golf course. I think it just suits my eye, and it will just be about trying to bring that momentum into tomorrow now and give myself some confidence and self-belief from today.

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,

“Almost there,” Foster added. “ it's been a long slog but I’m just trying to almost count down the holes now until home time. I’m just trying to stay as present and patient as possible. 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.”

Irish Amateur Close champion Canice Screene shot a three over 76 at Al Maaden to slip to joint 26th on four-under.

Olivia Mehaffey’s 73 at Al Maaden left her 109th on six-over and five shots outside the top 65 and ties that will make the 72-hole cut for the final round.

Players finishing btween 21st and 50th will earn Category 16 cards with those outside the top 50 ranked in Category 19.