WELSH AMATEUR LYDIA SURPRISES HERSELF BY JOINTLY LEADING

QUALIFERS FOR FINAL DAY

By BETHAN CUTLER
From the Ladies' European Tour Website
Welsh amateur Lydia Hall (Royal Porthcawl) and French rookie Melodie Bourdy led the qualifiers for the Ladies European Tour’s 2008 season after the cut to 50 players and ties at Le Fonti GC in Castel San Pietro del Terme in Italy today.
Hall, 19, pictured left, carded a third round of 67 while Bourdy, who turns 21 on Friday, carded a 68 for a 54-hole total of 205, 11-under-par. The pair finished two strokes clear of Spain’s Emma Cabrera, with Australia’s Frances Bondad and Dana Lacey a stroke further back.
The cut fell to 52 players on two-over-par 148 or better. The leading 30 players after 72 holes will attain Category 8 status on the LET next season while the players making the cut but finishing outside the top 30 will receive Category 10b.
In case of a tie for 30th position there will be a play-off.
Hall, from Pencoed near Bridgend in South Wales, carded five birdies, two bogeys and one eagle in her third round. She said: “I played really solidly again today. I just put the ball in the right places and created chances to get birdies.
“To be honest I didn’t expect to play this well but I put loads of hard work in. I’m just pleased that it’s come off at the right time.”
Bourdy began her day in optimum fashion by holing out with a 52 degree wedge from 83 metres for an eagle 2 at the first hole, and posted four further birdies and two bogeys. The pint-sized player, who is the sister of European Tour professional Gregory, commented: “I made an eagle at the first so it was very good for the confidence and after that it was easy to play. I putted well and drove the ball well. I am lucky and I’m trying to win this tournament so I will try my best tomorrow.”
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE THIRD ROUND SCORES, THE QUALIFIERS AND THE NON-QUALIFIERS

SCOTTISH ANGLE BY COLIN FARQUHARSON

JENNA KEEPS HER NERVE TO BEAT THE CUT
BUT MELISSA, HAMMER OF THE SCOTS, IS
SURPRISE NON-QUALIFIER IN ITALY
Scottish amateur champion Jenna Wilson made it by the skin of her teeth into the fourth and final round of the Ladies European Tour Final Qualifying School. A third round of 74 gave her a 54-hole tally of two-over-par 218, which was the limit mark for qualifying for the final day.
But the most important thing is that the Strathaven player has guaranteed herself a place on the Ladies European Tour next season. She will gain entry to more tournaments in 2008 if she can come up with a very good final round to jump from joint 46th into the top 30.
As predicted, Thursday was "moving day" with many players producing their best round of the three so far to climb up the standings. So that's why Jenna, also she improved by a shot on her second-round 75, actually lost ground because a lot of players surged past her.
She started with a birdie 2 but then shed shots at each of the third, fourth, fifth and eighth to be out in three-over-par 39 - her worst of the week against the par of 36.
A birdie at the 11th gave her the encouragement she needed. Although Jenna bogeyed the 12th, a birdie at the 15th was vital. She needed at least to par the last three holes to stay on the right side of the cut and, to her credit, the Scot stood up to the test of nerve, more than golf, to come home in one-under-par 35.
Perhaps the most surprising non-qualifier was Melissa Reid, the Chevin, Derby girl who won the Helen Holm Scottish women's stroke-play in April, the St Rule Trophy in June and was the leading amateur in the Ricoh Women's British Open over the Old Course in mid-summer.
Just when she needed more of that sparkling form, it deserted her this week. Scores of 75, 75 and 74 left her in joint 78th place on eight-over-par 224, probably her worst tournament scores of what has otherwise been an outstanding season.
Melissa had a double-bogey 6 at the very last hole. It was her second double bogey 6 of the tournament. She had one in the first round.
But the Curtis Cup selectors will be relieved that their star player will be available for the match against the United States over the Old Course at the end of May.