Douglas amateur Sara Byrne got off to a positive start by carding a three-under 69 in pre-qualifying at the LPGA Q-Series in California.
Set to bid goodbye to the amateur ranks after next week’s Curtis Cup at Sunningdale, where she will be joined by Aine Donegan and Beth Coulter, Byrne followed two early birdies with two bogeys to turn in level par on the Dinah Shore Course at Mission Hills.
But she made a move on the back nine, making three birdies in a row from the 14th to end the opening day tied for 15th.
She’s just two shots off the lead as the 325-strong field battles to finish in the top 95 and ties after four rounds who advance to the next stage, the 72-hole Qualifying Tournament at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Florida from October 15-18.
If they make the cut there but fail to make it to Final Qualifying in Alabama from December 5-9, where the top 25 and ties after five rounds will win LPGA cards, they will earn status on the second tier Epsom Tour for 2025.
The top 125 and ties after three rounds will make the cut for the final round at pre-qualifying this week and Ireland’s other two hopefuls, Donegan and Curtis Cup reserve Anna Foster, have work to do.
Donegan was tied for 125th after opening with a one-over 73 on the Indian Wells Classic Course while Foster was 205th after carding three bogeys in a three-over 75 on the Arnold Palmer Course.
