McVeigh on the back foot as Gillen grinds at Q-School

Martina Gillen opend with a three-over 76 at the LET Q-School. Martina Gillen and Danielle McVeigh made contrasting starts to the final stage of the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.

Gillen produced a strong, back nine fightback to open her account with a three-over 76 on the South Course at La Manga, leaving her just a shot outside the top 30 who will earn their cards after five rounds.

But Curtis Cup star McVeigh has it all to do following her exhausting return trip from the LPGA Tour ‘school’ in Florida earlier this week.

The Royal County Down amateur missed the cut at Daytona Beach and she’s in danger of missing out in Spain after signing for an eight-over par 81 on day one.

Gillen bogeyed the first, double bogeyed the par-three second and then dropped another shot at the ninth to turn in 41. But she came home on 35 with birdies at two par fives outweighing her a solitary dropped shot.

McVeigh had a double bogey six at the first and while she birdie the second, she added five bogeys and another double bogey before the finish to end the day tied for 82nd place in an event where the top 70 after four rounds qualify for the final round battle for a place in the top-30 and ties.

Liebelei Lawrence could become the first Greek player to make it to the Ladies European Tour after an opening 69 gave the 25-year old Belgium resident a one-stroke lead on four-under par.