Cara Gorlei got the job done with the minimum of fuss of Wednesday as she carded a two-under-par 71 to finish second and gain her Ladies European Tour card after the fifth round of the Lalla Aicha Marrakech Q School at Al Maaden Golf Marrakech in Morocco.
Although the 27-year-old Gorlei had a bogey on the sixth hole, that was the only brief moment of concern for her. She made three birdies without dropping another shot in her final round after her brilliant bogey-free eight-under in the fourth round. She reached 19-under through 90 holes, four shots behind the winner, Nataliya Guseva of Russia.
“I stayed very patient the whole week I think that was key,” said Gorlei of her impressive showing over five gruelling rounds – as well as three rounds in the pre-qualifier the week before. “I accepted every shot good or bad and stayed present.
“I think I’ll play the first event of the new season in Kenya, but I need to sit down and plan my schedule when I get home. But I’m going to try play as many LET events as I can, as there are some big ones during the SA swing,” she added.
Also winning her LET card for the 2024 season was amateur Danielle du Toit. With 20 players and ties eligible for category 12 status on the tour, Du Toit made it on the number at 10-under in a share of 20th.
“With the LET membership, I’ll forgo my amateur status,” said Du Toit. “I am very happy. In the second round I was six-over after nine holes and from there played 16-under. I couldn’t be more happy.
“I’ll play as many LET tournaments as I can. I’m especially looking forward to the South African swing in early 2024.”
Gorlei, who has three runner-up finishes on her resume already on the Sunshine Ladies Tour, will look to go one better when the LET has its two South African events in April next year.
Stacy Bregman missed out when she carded a closing level-par 73 to finish on one-under-par in a share of 53rd. In the end, it was disappointing for Bregman, who missed out on securing category 16 membership for the new season by just one shot.
