Anna Rawson of Adelaide, Australia, carded a low round 5-under-par 68 to take a one shot lead at five-under-par after the third round of the Ladies European Tour's Qualifying Tournament at La Cala Resort in Spain. Exactly 50 players survived the 54-hole cut, which fell at 228.
At the conclusion of 72 holes, all players will be ranked according to score and thirty players will receive their full playing privileges for the 2006 season on the Ladies European Tour.
Rawson, who shot a level par 73 in both the first and second rounds, posted an error-free third round today with five birdies on the North Course. After making her first birdie on hole eight to begin the day, she made the turn at one-under. On her back nine, Rawson racked up three straight birdies on holes 10, 11 and 12 to go to four-under. She finished with a birdie on 18 to finish the day at five-under-par.
"I kept it going today," said Rawson, a 5'10" blonde who has worked as a fashion model for Chanel and resides in Los Angeles, California.
"I hit every green and every fairway, so I didn't chip all day and it was really dream golf." Rawson, 24, was a member of the University of Southern California and played on the Futures Tour in the US throughout the 2005 season. "It was my goal to win coming into the tournament. I am excited about how I am playing and I'm hoping to keep it going."
Rawson finished 29th on the Futures Tour Money List this year but hopes to spend the 2006 season competing on the European circuit. She played in the ANZ Ladies Masters in her native Australia last year, but missed the cut by one shot. "It's my first time playing golf in Europe. It would be nice to play over here as I love the food and architecture. I backpacked in Europe when I was in college, but I've never been to Spain before so I was so excited when I heard that Qualifying School was here."
At the conclusion of 72 holes, all players will be ranked according to score. Other than those playing off for 30th position (players tied for 30th place will be subject to a play-off), all tied scores will be ranked by card play-off as follows: the best last 54, 36, 18, 9, 6, 3 and last hole, then Match Play from the first hole, if required.
