Olivia Mehaffey was counting her blessings after bad weather practice paid off and she opened with a two-under 71 at the Ladies European Tour Q-School in Spain.

The Co Down star (24), who recently lost her father Philip to cancer, understandably remained at home to prepare for the two-week Q-School test.

High winds and rain showers saw just 10 players in the 128-strong field break par at La Manga Resort, and they included Mehaffey, who made an eagle and three birdies in a two-under 71 on the South Course to share third place.

"It was really windy out there and there were a lot of crosswinds, and it was very challenging," said Mehaffey, who is two shots behind leader Yvie Chaucheprat of France, who shot a four-under 67 on the North Course to lead by a shot from England's Meghan MacLaren.

Scores

"It was a fun day; I'm glad I sent the last six weeks in Ireland though because it was very like Irish weather today," added the former Curtis Cup star, who finished third in last week's pre-qualifier at the same venue. "It's been the toughest day since I've been here; it was a new level.

"I thought we had covered all winds last week, but a lot of holes were different out there today. That's the fun thing that you don't know what way the wind is going to be – it's a fun challenge, and you have to be quite creative."

Starting on the back nine, she chipped in for eagle at the 13th, then followed a bogey at the 15th with a birdie at the 18th to turn in two-under.

She three-putted the second and dumped a short iron in water short after mis-clubbing at the third but fought back with birdies at the next two holes.

"It was nice to bounce back because I was struggling a little bit," she said. "So those two birdies definitely gave me the momentum to finish off the round."

Clandeboye's Victoria Craig is tied 44th after a two-over 75 on the South Course in the race to make the top 20 and ties who will secure LET cards after five rounds with her first objective making the 72-hole cut for the top 65 and ties.

In the US, Tiger Woods and his son Charlie will partner defending champions Justin Thomas and Mike Thomas in the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando tomorrow as Padraig and Paddy Harrington tee it up with Tom Watson and his son Michael.

Meanwhile, the 2022 European Legends Tour schedule will feature a minimum of 20 events and record prize funds totalling over €15 million.

Darren Clarke will host the JCB Championship at JCB Golf & Country Club in Uttoxeter from 29 - 31 July with the Irish Legends hosted by the McGinley Foundation confirmed for Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort from 19-21 August.