Coakley starts well at Q-School

Carlow's Rebecca Coakley got off to a flyer in her bid to win an LPGA tour card in Florida.

The Aussie-born Irishwoman, 25, scorched off the blocks with a one under par 71 at Daytona Beach.

But she still has it all to do to clinch one of just 15 full cards in the 90-hole event on Sunday.

Coakley is just one of 138 hopefuls battling to finish in the top 70 who qualify for the crucial final round.

The top-15 finishers will then earn exempt status for the 2007 Tour season, while the next 35 will earn conditional status.

Amateur In-Kyung Kim and 2006 LPGA Tour rookie Hye Jung Choi grabbed the first round lead with five under par 67s.

But Coakley is well placed in a share of 22nd place, just four behind.

Coakley turned professional four years ago and earned €52,417 to finish 36th on Ladies European Tour this season.