Whilst all eyes recently have been on the top six ranked players at the culmination of the 2023 season it’s just as important to scan your eyes at the 7th to 21st ranked players.
This talented bunch will be given a second shot at securing their LET cards for the 2024 season by advancing to the final stage of the Lalla Aicha Qualifying school.
We’ve already looked at the players ranked 7th to 10th on the Order of Merit, now let’s find out more about the players who finished 11th to 14th.
Number 11: Corinne Viden
Finishing just outside the top 10 was Swedish chatterbox, Corinne Viden. The 26-year-old had a steady start to 2023 making all the cuts but found some great form in the second half of the season.
During the Swedish swing on tour, Viden recorded two top 10 positions including finding herself in a dramatic three way play off for the title at the Smorum Ladies Open.
Viden finished off the season with two top five places and one top 10 in the final four events to consolidate her position in the Order of Merit tables.
Reflecting on the season, Viden took to Instagram to say: “Whilst I expected more of myself this year, I also recognize the progress. We were off to a slow start, but in the last couple of months I gave myself some opportunities. We continue to learn and grow.”
Number 12: Emma Thorngren
Just behind Viden on the Order of Merit lies her friend and fellow compatriot Emma Thorngren.
Thorngren however has had a more turbulent season with five missed cuts and an equal number of top 10 positions.
However, Thorngren has been on the radar as a player to watch since the start of the season after finishing second at the Santander Golf Tour-Girona and losing out on the win to France’s Lucie Andre.
Other highlights include finishing fifth at the Montauban Ladies Open and an impressive performance at the Helsingborg Open, a Ladies European Tour (LET) event at the start of this month.
Thorngren carded rounds of 71, 69 and 71 to finish in eighth place tied with India’s Dikshar Dagar, the two-time LET winner.
Number 13: Hannah McCook
When asked to sum up her season in one word, McCook said “rollercoaster” and there is not a more perfect word to describe it.
The Nethy-Bridge Golfer started the season strong consistently appearing at the top end of the leaderboard. Her break came at the Capio Ogon Trophy where she headed into the final day as overnight leader.
Yet it was heartbreak for McCook whose chances of a first LETAS title were dashed by our number one ranked player, Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen who secured her second win of the season in a play-off.
The good form continued until the Rose Ladies Open where McCook missed the cut and the cut in the next three events which damaged her hopes of securing an LET card automatically for 2023.
However, McCook finished with a ninth-place position in the final event which shows her fighting strength and some momentum to take to the final stage of Q school.
Additionally, 2023 was a memorable year for McCook as she picked up her first pro win as the fifth and final event winner of the 2023 Rose Ladies Series at the Grove in Hertfordshire.
Number 14: Kelsey Bennett
Bennett started her season slightly later and showed her potential when making the cut at her first LETAS start, the Montauban Ladies Open.
The 23-year-old had a consistent season with six top 10 finishes and week after week showcased her positive and hardworking attitude on and off the course.
Bennett is certainly a name to watch out for at final qualifying as the Australian has history of succeeding under high volumes of pressure.
Earlier this year Bennett came through a 13-person play-off in Final Qualifying to secure a coveted last five spot for the 2023 AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath.
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Find out more about this year’s Lalla Aicha Qualifying School here.
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