La Manga (Spain), Jan 18 (IANS): Sharmila Nicollet had a torrid time in cold and windy conditions Tuesday as she ballooned to a seven-over 80 but managed to stay in contention for the coveted Ladies European Tour card despite dropping from tied second to tied 11th at the end of the third round of the LET Qualifying School Final stage.

At the La Manga Golf Resort's South Course Tuesday, Sharmila blazed to five-under on the first day. She suffered four bogeys and two double bogeys and got her only birdie on the 18th.

"It was really tough out there today but there's still two more rounds to go and I hope to make up for this," said Sharmila.

It even rained for a while during the day.

England's Jodi Ewart blew away the rest of the field with a six under par round of 67 in windy conditions on the South Course. The 24-year-old from North Yorkshire fired six birdies to lead by seven strokes with two rounds to play.

Marjet Van der Graaff was on six under par, with Heather Bowie-Young, Stephanie Kirchmayr and Carlota Ciganda four strokes further behind on two under.

Ewart was one of only nine players in the field to break par on a cold day.

Ewart, who earned her full card for the LPGA in December, has chosen not to look at any leader boards during the qualifiers.

Sharmila's first round co-leader Chrisje de Vries was in a share of 14th after a 73.

The 90-hole Final Qualifying School is being played with 36 holes on each of La Manga Club's North and South courses for the first four rounds with a cut to the leading 50 players and ties after 72 holes. The fifth round will be played on the South Course on Thursday and the top 30 players will earn LET Membership.