Delaney and Walshe graduate at LET Q-School

Alison Walshe earned her Ladies European Tour cardCarlow's Tara Delaney survived a late scare to regain her Ladies European Tour card at the 72-hole Final Qualifying School in Spain.

But there was also a tour card for Galway born Alison Walshe, 24, who represented the USA in the 2008 Curtis Cup.

With an Irish heritage, Walshe could well be eligible to contend for a place on Alison Nicholas' European side for the 2011 Solheim Cup matches at Killeen Castle. This week, at least, she competed under the American flag.

Walshe failed to come through the recent LPGA Q-School but she cruised through at La Manga, earning the 22nd card on level par despite closing with a two over 75.

As for Delaney, the 23-year old will be relieved to have come through. Two shots outside the top 30 to earn cards after three rounds, she bogeyed the 71st hole but discovered at the finish that her impressive, two under par 71 left her a shot inside the magic number.

Delaney’s four round total of one-over par 293 meant she only avoided a five-way play-off for the last two places by the slimmest of margins.

Not so lucky were Holly Aitchison (Eng), Antonella Cvitan (Swe), Julie Tvede (Den), Cassandra Kirkland (Fra) and Mollie Fankhause USA) who finished on two over par and will play-off for final two qualifying spots at 9am on Tuesday.

Germany’s Caroline Masson fired a seven under 66 to claim the top card on 14 under par while Scottish amateur Carly Booth will turn professional after finishing 14th to become the LET’s youngest member at the age of 17 years and six months.