The young Scottish took over the tournament with a first card of 68. Four players, including the Norwegian Suzann Pettersen, are tied for second at 2. French side, these are Ariane Provot, 69th at 6, and the duo Valentine Derrey- Agathe Sauzon, both 70st with par, who best negotiated the first round.

  • Gemma Dryburgh and Jade Schaeffer - © Nathalie VIon / Swing-feminine.com

Already winner, last January, on the ALPG Tour

The most experienced players of the Ladies European Tour took a little behind the ears this Thursday in Rabat during the first round of the Lalla Meryem Cup. No one would have played the evening tagine on Miss Gemma Dryburgh. And yet… At the stroke of 19 p.m., the young Scottish girl, 24 years old next June, won alone the head of the tournament thanks to an excellent card of 68 (-4). Who would've believed that ? Who could predict that the native of Aberdeen could take the best on a Suzann Pettersen, the Norwegian star being 2nd tied at 69 with the South African Nicole Garcia, the Czech Klara Spilkova and the Welsh Lydia Hall? Impossible. Except to take a very close interest in women's golf. Because the unknown Dryburgh had already created her little sensation at the end of last January by winning the Oatlands Ladies Classic, a stage of the Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour (ALPG). Otherwise, nothing to report, except the fact that she had finished 60th in the Order of European Merit in 2016, at the end of her first professional year.

A "crazy" putting in front of Jade Schaeffer's eyes

Gemma Dryburgh owes her performance in the first round to a solid game overall, but above all to a fiery putting. The Frenchwoman Jade Schaeffer, who shared her part, but with less success (76, +4) could not get over it: "She put putts all over the place, completely crazy putts." One of which is ten meters to save a par. And in addition, it fits two chips! At one point, I didn't even watch what she was going to do anymore, she was untouchable at play. ” The Scottish, football fan and double supporter of Aberdeen FC and Manchester United, admitted to having shot a bunch of goals: “My putting was especially good, only twenty putts. The greens were impeccable, they rolled really well. When it's like that, if you have the right line, it inevitably falls. " His plan for the second round this Friday on the Blue course of the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam: "Just do the same, play my game, one stroke at a time. And stay patient, it's only the beginning of the tournament… ”

Suzann Pettersen not unhappy to be 2nd at -3

Between Gemma Dryburgh, 455th world, and Suzann Pettersen, 17th world, there is a world. That the Norwegian star should not delay to deliver to the place: "Tomorrow is another day. We will see where it takes us… ”said the Oslo player just after her first round in 69. Which therefore gives her second place tied. Forever one quick blow behind Dryburgh. Pettersen was not unhappy that the day ended for her at -3. Because the start of his game alongside Gwladys Nocera and the Englishwoman Georgia Hall was a little mixed. At the exit of hole n ° 11, it was even at +1. He had to find his whole class to investigate a series of four birdies in seven holes, precisely at 12, 13, 14 and 18. A scenario that Gwladys Nocera could envy, also at +1 at the end of 11, but who only found pars, before accusing a bogey at 18 for a total of +2. Either provisional 43rd place, tied with several players, including an Isabelle Boineau no more successful than her elder.

The euphoric French, same for Ariane Provot 

The beautiful French performance came from Ariane Provot. A nice 70 (-2) for the blonde and athletic Ariane who thus takes the 6th temporary rank. Tied with eight players, including the Danish Madsen and Pedersen, and also the Moroccan Maha Haddioui, the latter thrilled in front of her audience and apparently very well "coached" on the spot by Patricia Meunier-Lebouc. This is not the first time that Ariane Provot has shown her potential, she who won the European qualification for the Evian Championship in June 2014 and who, last year, being 3rd in this same "qualifier", had still almost invited himself to the French Major. Ariane should be able to improve her mark from 2016, when she was 55th in the Lalla Meryem Cup. It can even support the comparison with the French, who started very strong this Thursday in the Hassan II Trophy, very close on the red course: Gary Stal and Grégory Havret tied first at -3, and the Sordet-Bourdy-Levy trio, 5th ex aequo at -2!

By Nathalie Vion, in Rabat.