Scotland’s ultra-talented Louise Duncan heads to this week’s Curtis Cup on an enormous high in being presented with the ‘Low Amateur’ salver following her impressive showing at the AIG Women’s Amateur.
Duncan, 21, remained in contention over the four days before posting a closing round level par 72 to share 10-place at seven-under at Carnoustie.
Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist ended a four-year winless drought since capturing a second major at the 2017 Evan Masters to win a third with Dundee-based caddy Paul Cormack on the bag.
Low amateur Louise Duncan
Nordqvist, 34, posted a last day 69 to win by a shot and with the newly-wed being greeted by her new husband Scot Kevin McAlpine after being married in March.
Also congratulating the now 12-time tour winner was Scotland’s 2021 Solheim Cup captain and with Nordqvist officially confirmed for a seventh European team cap.
Nordqvist had set-up her win with 65 on day three and the lowest score all week and revealed she and Kevin will have a proper post-Covid wedding following next month’s Solheim Cup.
She said: “I’ve been waiting for this one for a while. I haven’t won in a couple of years. There’s been a lot of downs and a lot of hard times, so I think this win makes it feel even sweeter.
“I have my husband, Kevin here and for me every single year since the Evian, and when I won last time, along with Paul Cormack my caddy. He’s been my rock on the golf course and always been there for me.
“ I could only dream about winning the British Open and congrats to Louise on your fantastic play. I was an amateur here in 2008 so after a lot of hard work, I am just so happy to be here.
“And it’s just 20-minutes away from here Kevin and I will be properly married in a few weeks time”.
England’s Georgia Hall (67), Swede Madeline Sagstrom (68) and American Lizette Salas (69) sharing second place at 11-under par.
Duncan, and the reigning Women’s Amateur champ went into the final found just as brilliant sunshine broke out over the famed Angus course and with Duncan earning wild applause when she birdied the opening hole for a second day.
Duncan, and with her Stirling University coach and former Italian Open winning caddie Dean Robertston on the bag, then produced seven pars before a bogey on nine.
The young Scot then brilliantly birdied 10 and 11 before finishing her off her round bogey, par, bogey and the packed grandstands around the 18th rising to applaud Duncan.
She said: “I am really happy how I played and I could not be anymore proud of myself.
“I was a little disappointed in my finish and it’s a little to be expected but to shoot 72 is still a really good score.
“I was a wee bit nervous heading out today, and felt a bit sick but once I rolled-in that birdie putt on the first I felt really fine.
“Then coming down the last, I felt good and not nervous at all. It’s just a shame I didn’t hole that par putt on the last”.
Duncan was assured the Low Amateur medal following the second round with two other amateurs in a field of five making the cut. Her closest rival
Organisers were permitted to allow 8,000 fans to enter each day over the four days and all seemed to be around the 72nd green to welcome Duncan.
She said: “It did take some time over the early rounds to get used to all the spectators watching our matches, so I think it will stand me in good stead for next week’s Curtis Cup”.
Duncan will now join her GB & I Curtis Cup team-mates, including Hannah Darling, in teeing-up on the Conwy course in Wales.
Kelsey MacDonald carded a last day 76 for a four-over tally and shared 55th place.
