Nicole Garcia made two early birdies on Thursday in the first round of the Ladies European Tour’s Lalla Meryem Cup at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam’s Blue Course in Rabat, Morocco, but she finished up with a level-par 73.
She made one more birdie, on the 15th, but that was counteracted by a bogey on the ninth and two more on the 16th and 17th. She nonetheless was in a share of 25th, eight strokes off the lead which was held by Maria Fassi of Mexico. Fassi led by three from local star Ines Laklalech of Morocco.
Fassi, who started on 10, got off to a hot start rolling in three birdies within the first five holes. At the turn, the LPGA player fired up her flatstick to roll in three consecutive birdies before rolling in another two on holes five and eight. Speaking about her round Fassi said: “I don’t see many bogey-free rounds so I am very proud of our work today. It was easy and we had fun.”
The 25-year-old who represented Mexico at the Tokyo Olympics is enjoying experiencing playing in the tournament for the first time and relishes the opportunity to play on the Ladies European Tour. “This is my first time in Morocco, my first time in Africa as a whole and it’s been great. People are extremely kind and welcoming.”
Cara Gorlei closed with an unfortunate double-bogey for a first-round three-over 76, and that put her in a share of 64th. Casandra Alexander signed for a four-over 77.
