TRACY EAKIN from Laytown and Bettystown comfortably earned her card when a final round of 78 at the American Express Women's European Golf Tour school yesterday left her sharing 12th place on 294. It was Eakin's worst round of the week, but she had a useful cushion from the moment she shot two fine opening rounds of 70.

Sweden's Marlene Hedblom headed the list of qualifiers when she shot a closing round of 70 over the south course at the La Manga club in Spain.

Lisa Educate and Lisa Dermott, two members of this year's winning Curtis Cup side, both finished in the top 40 to earn their cards for next season.

Educate hit four birdies in a final round of 69 to share 21st place on 297, with Welsh champion Dermott a stroke further back after a 77.