Douglas’ Sara Byrne opened with a five-under 67 to sit just one stroke behind the leader after the first qualifying round for December’s LPGA Q-Series in Florida.

Sara Byrne kicked off a big week for Irish women’s golf in California last night by qualifying for the next stage of the LPGA Qualifying School.

Douglas amateur Sara Byrne added a two-under 70 to her opening 69 to move up the leaderboard in pre-qualifying for the LPGA Q-Series in California.

Former Curtis Cup star Olivia Mehaffey will fulfil her late father's final wishes and tee it up at the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School in Spain on Thursday as a special tribute to the man who first taught her the game.

Kinsale's John Murphy clinched his Challenge Tour card without hitting a shot, but Ballymena's Dermot McElroy missed out on his despite making an ace in a closing 65 in the Europro Tour's Matchroom Tour Championship at Slaley Hall.

Leona Maguire is nine shots off the lead despite recovering from a slow start to card a level par 72 in the second round of the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea.

Olivia Mehaffey was one of 95 players to advance to Stage II of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament in California last night.