German duo Polly Mack and Alexandra Försterling finished joint winners of the LET Q-School final qualifier with a total of 15 under par.
Försterling, who led after the fourth round, has gotten to know La Manga Club quite well after progressing in last week’s EC qualifier.
The 23-year-old played a level round of three birdies and three bogeys on the South Course to secure LET playing rights for 2023.
He explained: “I feel really good! I’m a little confused at about 18 because I missed a short putt to win outright, but that’s the way it is sometimes.
“All in all, if someone had told me before that I would be ready for this, I wouldn’t have believed them. It’s really nice.
“Getting the LET card means a lot. I am very excited for next season and can’t wait for all the tournaments. I can’t wait to get started!”
With a final-round 71 (-2), Mack drew level with his countryman when he posted four birdies and two bogeys in Spain.
It’s been a busy year for the 23-year-old, who secured both her LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour cards for 2023 in December.
“Feels great” said Mack. “These last couple of weeks couldn’t have gone any better and I’m honestly really, really happy with this result and it’s really nice to go into the off-season with this feeling. I’m ready to rest!
“Getting LET status means a lot. I’m German and it’s nice to have both and have options and more opportunities. I’m really looking forward to 2023, I think it will be exciting.
French amateur Nastasia Nadaud capped her excellent week with a 71 (-2) on the final day to finish third at 14-under and the teenager plans to turn pro and compete on the LET in 2023.
Nadaud said: “I don’t think I can put my feelings into words! I can’t believe it’s over; I’m still thinking tomorrow is the sixth installment. I feel really good and it’s finally done.
“This is the perfect ending to my amateur career. If someone had told me that I would be in the top 3 at Q-School, I would have already turned pro! It’s really nice. I’m very motivated and can’t wait for the season to start.
Slovenia’s Ana Belac finished the tournament tied for fourth after shooting a 67 (-6) for the day, which included an eagle on No. 18, which was 13 under.
“It’s been a great week” said Belac. “Q-School can be really hard and mentally challenging; trying to have fun here and enjoy the beautiful views and weather as much as I can.
“It was great. I started the week bogey-free and ended the week bogey-free, that’s always a huge positive. My game is coming together.
“[On the eagle] I had a nice 5-hybird to the green and my dad almost talked me out of going to the green in two. I found it in the bunker – not the best shot – and then the hole in the bunker.
“It’s really crazy because that shot would have scared me a couple of months ago, but I spent a lot of time on the game, especially around the greens, so it paid off.”
Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab was fifth at 11 under, while Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela finished sixth behind Austria’s Emma Spitz and Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels in eighth.
The top 10 is rounded out by six-under pairs from Australia, Kirsten Rudgeley and England’s Annabel Dimmock, and Germany’s Sophie Hausmann and Sweden’s Emma Nilsson in T11.
Tereza Melecka of the Czech Republic, who also carded a 67 (-6) on the last day, ended up in T13 with Maiken Bing Paulsen of Norway, Swiss amateur Tiffany Araf and Danish amateur Amalie Leth-Nissen.
Spain’s Paz Marfa Sans finished 17thth place three under, alongside Sweden’s Linnea Johansson, Germany’s Aline Krauter, Norway’s Madelene Stavnar, Wales’ Lee-Anne Bramwell, Scotland’s Louise Duncan, Japan’s Yuri Onishi and Italy’s Alessandra Fanali.
If they wish to accept and take up LET membership, a total of 24 players secured Category 12 membership for 2023, while 28 players secured Category 16 membership.
See the final results of the qualification here.
