Sophia Popov will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Troon

Sophia Popov will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Troon, after putting together a faultless third round highlighted by a moment of breathtaking brilliance.

World number 304 Popov, whose only previous appearance in this championship came as an amateur back in 2011, was the only player in the field not to drop a shot on Saturday as she carded a four-under 67 – the joint-lowest round of the week - to reach four under.

Past Champion Catriona Matthew saw her hopes of another AIG Women’s Open title fade as she  carded a 74 to sit on eight over.

Scot Michele Thomson carded an 80 today which included 5 bogeys and 2 double bogeys to finish on +17

To read the full report go to the AIG WEBSITE

CATRIONA MATTHEW AND MICHELE THOMSON MAKE THE HALF WAY CUT AT ROYAL TROON

On another blustery day on the Ayrshire links, accompanied by heavy rain showers, the 32-year-old Swede Dani Holmqvist defied the weather conditions with a one under-par 70 that included four birdies and three bogeys to claim a second round lead in the AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon

Holmqvist is the only player under par at the halfway stage of the first women’s major championship of the year, having only qualified via last week’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open.

The Swede, who has fought back to fitness after a golf cart crash in 2018, sits at one under par, a stroke clear of American Austin Ernst and Sophia Popov from Germany.

A five-strong group of players share fourth place on one over. That quintet is comprised of Minjee Lee, Jasmine Suwannapura, Lydia Ko, Emily Kristine Pedersen and Lindsey Weaver, who is impressing without the use of a caddie.

The cut fell at +9 with Scot Catriona Matthew finishing on +5 and Michele Thomson on +8

SCOTS:

+5 C Matthew

+8 M Thomson

Missed Cut

+11C Booth

+12 K Henry

+14 G Dryburgh

Catriona Matthew rolls back the years in Round 1 of the AIG Women's Open

 

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew rolled back the years on the links, but it is American Amy Olson who leads after the opening round of the AIG Women’s Open.

At a blustery Royal Troon, with gusts that rose to 40mph on occasions, Olson emerged late in the day to reach four under par with an excellent 67 at the first women’s major of the year.

Olson carded five birdies and just one dropped shot in a fine display of links golf. The 28-year-old, who has posted two top-10 finishes in majors, holds a three-stroke lead over fellow American Marina Alex and Germany’s Sophia Popov. 

Fifty-year-old Catriona Matthew rolled back the years on Thursday with a superb round of 71 at Royal Troon in the AIG Women’s Open.

Europe's Solheim Cup captain, who won this championship in 2009 at Royal Lytham & St Annes, carded four birdies and four bogeys in a level-par round that left her comfortably inside the top 10 on a day when gusting winds made low scoring difficult.

“I played well, I drove the ball well,” Matthew said. “I don't think I missed a fairway today, which gives you just the opportunity to try and hit the greens.

“Going out was obviously super long, going back out into the wind, and then coming back downwind sometimes isn't that easy, either, it was such a strong wind.”

Matthew, who would become the oldest major champion of all time if she were to win this week, was in control with her long game on Thursday, and credits shot commitment for her accuracy off the tee.

Leaderboard 

 -4 A Olsen (USA)

-1 S Popov (Germany), M Alex (USA)

SCOTS:

Even C Matthew

+2 M Thomson

+3 G Dryburgh

+7 K Henry

+9 C Booth

Full Leaderboard - Click Here

WATCH THE AIG WOMEN’S OPEN AT ROYAL TROON ON YOU TUBE

Live AIG Women’s Open Championship  will be found on You Tube  --  it starts at 10:30am this morning - you will then find the schedules from there on. Also if you want to keep up to date download the excellent AIG Women’s Open app from the Apple or Google Play App stores 

Follow your Scottish Players like Catriona Matthew Kylie Henry, Michele Thomson, Gemma Dryburgh, Carly Booth and the full field including last weeks Scottish Ladies Open Champion Stacey Lewis 

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW ON YOU TUBE

LIVE SCORING 

NEXT SESSION 3PM 

KYLIE HENRY HOPES TO CARRY HER GOOD FORM ON TO ROYAL TROON

The Courier & Advertiser 

17 Aug 2020

Kylie Henry will be staying in a hotel just 10 minutes’ drive from her home for the Women’s Open at Royal Troon next week, but that’s bearable as she’d have “done just about anything” to be there.

Henry signed off the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open with a three-under-par 68 to finish one-under and in a tie for 12th, the best finisher from any of the home nations at the Renaissance.

She was an impressive five-under for the weekend, illustrating again that the form that led her to her two LET titles is coming back.

The main aim of the weekend was to finally book her place at Royal Troon, and that was assured even before she played yesterday’s round.

“I played Royal Troon every year as an amateur because we have the Helen Holm Scottish Championship there every year, but not for the last 11 years, and I can’t wait to go back,” she said.

“I’ve played six Women’s Opens before but I’d have done anything to play in this one so close to home. In fact, I’m staying at the tournament bubble hotel even though my house is just a little bit further away and my parents’ house is closer to Royal Troon.

“My husband (tour pro Scott Henry) was just moaning to me that I’ll be only five minutes away next week but he’ll not be able to see me!”

Kylie is most pleased to have picked up from where she left off before lockdown, and admits that the stop was doubly frustrating for her.

“I just felt everything was falling into place for me, I had a couple of good finishes in Australia and everything was looking good for the season before it all came to a halt,” she added.

She warmed up for this current stretch – five tournaments in six weeks as the LET gets under way again – by playing against the men in the Tartan Pro Tour event at Carnoustie, playing with host Paul Lawrie and finishing a highly creditable 10th.

“That was such good fun and so good to get the opportunity to play again,” she said.

“I played with Paul the first day and it was great to watch the way he played the course where he won the Open.”

Grace Crawford is 3rd in Under 16 Faldo series

This week Grace Crawford (North Berwick) played in the Faldo Series at Slaley Hall which was her first big tournament of the year. She came third in the U16 girls and fifth overall. She said “I am a bit  competition rusty but I got better each round and I’m really looking forward to the next tournament “

Under 16's 
1 218 -7 Zara Naughton (ENG) (a) Ponteland G.C. 74 70 74  
2 223 -2 Rachel Gourley (ENG) (a) Arcot Hall G.C. 73 73 77  
3 232 +7 Grace Crawford (SCO) (a) North Berwick G.C. 80 77 75  
Other Scots 
7 238 +13 Katie Graham (SCO) (a) Royal Troon G.C. 78 83 77  
10 247 +22 Freya Russell (SCO) (a) Royal Troon G.C. 81 81 85 
19 273 +48 Jodie Graham (SCO) (a) Royal Troon G.C. 89 90 94 

Rachael Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas) was the leading Scot in the Under 21's section 

UNDER 21's 
1 215 -10 Rosie Belsham (ENG) (a) Whitley Bay G.C. 70 72 73  
2 235 +10 Julia Kerrigan (ENG) (a) Hendon G.C. 76 78 81 
3 236 +11 Ella Mason (ENG) (a) Ely City G.C. 76 77 83 
4 237 +12 Anna Wills (ENG) (a) West Sussex G.C. 83 73 81  
5 238 +13 Mia Eales Smith (ENG) (a) Lindrick G.C. 84 77 77  
6= 239 +14  Rachel Foster (SCO) (a) Prestwick St Nicholas G.C. 79 79 81 

Other Scots
11= 249 +24 Eilidh Henderson (SCO) (a) Loretto School G.C. 77 89 83
14 261 +36 Orla O Leary (SCO) (a) Torwoodlee G.C. 86 89 86  
15 270 +45 Natalie Fowler (SCO) (a) Bathgate G.C. 89 91 90  

See Full results - CLICK HERE 

AIG Womens British Open to be played in 2020

The R&A confirmed today that it intends to play the AIG Women’s British Open at Royal Troon from 20-23 August without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will be the first women’s Major Championship to be played this year and will be broadcast globally to more than 11 million fans.

Step forward for women’s golf

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The AIG Women’s British Open is important to the success of women’s professional golf. We have been working closely with our title sponsor AIG, Visit Scotland, Royal Troon and our key advisors to find a way for the Championship to be played safely this year.

“We believe that playing the AIG Women’s British Open is a significant step for players whose playing opportunities have been severely impacted this year. As they compete to be the 2020 champion in historic circumstances, these athletes will continue to inspire golfers and sports fans around the world, who will be closely following events from Royal Troon on TV and social media.” 

AIG supportive of women’s golf

Peter Zaffino, President & Global Chief Operating Officer, AIG, commented, “As part of our commitment to supporting women in business and society, AIG proudly stands as allies with the world-class field of diverse women golfers who will have an opportunity to compete before a global audience. 

“We appreciate the collaborative efforts of The R&A, the United Kingdom and Scottish Governments to implement the necessary health and safety protocols that will allow the 2020 AIG Women’s British Open to be played under safe and responsible conditions.”

The return of women’s professional golf

Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, said, “Scotland is the home of golf and so it is fitting that we are on course to host golf’s first Major of 2020, the AIG Women’s British Open. This is only possible thanks to the dedication of The R&A in working with the Scottish Government and other partners to develop comprehensive plans to allow for an event of this stature to take place, set against the most challenging of circumstances. 

“I’m especially pleased that we are able to support the return of women’s professional golf, underlining our commitment to equality across both sport and society. Ayrshire’s magnificent coastline will present an outstanding backdrop for the Championship, providing inspiration not only for those watching and dreaming of Scotland worldwide but those here in Scotland who will be excited to see the return of major events and championship golf.”

Nigel Huddleston, UK Sports Minister said, “It's fantastic news that the AIG Women’s British Open will be going ahead this summer and broadcast to millions of fans around the world.

“Getting elite women’s sports back safely remains a top priority – we're working hard to ensure we don't lose any of the great momentum that has built up in recent years.”

Field composition

The field will be comprised of the leading players from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings as well as recognising successful players from recent tournaments staged on the world’s leading Tours. Pre-qualifying and Final Qualifying events for the Championship have unfortunately been cancelled based on health and safety advice. 

Health and safety protocols

The Championship will enforce strict health and safety protocols including the creation of a bio secure zone. Only personnel essential to the Championship’s onsite operations, namely players, caddies, officials, and staging staff, will be inside the zone with their movements for the week limited to the golf course and designated secure hotel.   

All personnel will be required to return a negative Covid-19 test from an authorised testing centre and will be subject to further daily temperature checks and rigorous protocols designed to maintain the integrity of the zone and the health of those within it. 

The R&A will continue to monitor the pandemic conditions and work closely with the Scottish and UK governments and the health authorities to ensure the Championship is staged safely.

HAZEL MACGARVIE SELECTED FOR THE ARNOLD PALMER CUP

Hazel MacGarvie

From the Stirling University Website

Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon)  will take on some of the world’s best amateur golfers later this year after being selected to play in the Arnold Palmer Cup.

The third-year Stirling University student will represent an International side, containing players from over 15 countries, against their American counterparts at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida, on December 21-23, 2020.

The match is a Ryder Cup-style tournament featuring the top men’s and women’s university/college golfers from across the world and has seen over 100 former players go on to earn cards on either the PGA, European or LPGA Tours.

The event was originally due to be hosted at Lahinch Golf Club in July but has been postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Lahinch will now host in 2024.

Commenting on her selection, MacGarvie, who won her first senior international title at St Andrews last year, said: “I’m absolutely delighted with my selection. It feels great and is some good news amid these difficult times."

“The university has been a great help in me getting to where I am. The training programme that Dean Robertson – (University of Stirling High Performance Golf Coach) has put together is a fantastic support for all of us and continues to produce great results.”

The Arnold Palmer Cup was co-founded by Arnold Palmer and The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and began at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in 1997.

The event has been played at some of the world’s greatest courses and in 2018, became the only major tournament to feature men and women playing side-by-side as partners. The United States currently leads the series 12-10-1.

The Arnold Palmer Cup is supported by Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation and is a demonstration of Arnold Palmer’s commitment to youth development and the growth of amateur/collegiate golf.

For more information about the Arnold Palmer Cup, visit ArnoldPalmerCup.com.

HELEN HOLM TROPHY ENTRY FORM

The best female golfers from around the world will take to Royal Troon GC and the Ladies Golf Club Troon next month in the 

 2020 Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER -- Entries Close 16th March

Royal Troon will host The Open Golf in 2023

The 152nd Open will be played at Royal Troon from 16-23 July 2023. 

A century after hosting golf’s original major for the first time, the battle for the Claret Jug will return to Royal Troon in 2023 for The 152nd Open.

The famed links course in South Ayrshire will play host to its 10th Open, celebrating 100 years since the Championship first came to Troon in 1923.

WEST GIRLS WIN AT ROYAL TROON

Photo courtesy of Allison Bell

Following in the European Solheim Team footsteps the West Girls also had a great win this weekend🏆!

In the inaugural match against the Royal Troon Junior Team the West Girls won 3-2.

What a brilliant day for the girls ! After enjoying lunch in the clubhouse, they  played the match over the fantastic Royal Troon course.

The team was:

Megan Docherty 

Rachel Foster

Luisa Gibson

Jodie Graham

Katie Graham 

Kittie Maslanka

Abigail McCafferty

Sophie Murphy 

Reserves who also played:

Lindsay Main

Lauren Agnew

Thanks go to Allison Bell for the report and photo

Hazel MacGarvie wins the Stirling International

Hazel MacGarvie

The first event of the R&A Student Tour Series was played at the Fairmont St Andrews over the weekend hosted by the Stirling International.

 Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon) - Stirling  was the winner defeating Lorna McClymont (Milngavie)- SRUC and Chloe Goadby (St Regulus) - Stirling by 1 shot over 3 rounds. There were 9 Scots in the field of 24 players.

CLICK HERE FOR LEADERBOARD

WHAT THE SERIES IS ABOUT

The R&A is launching a major new initiative for student golf with The R&A Student Tour Series which teed off at the Fairmont St Andrews yesterday, hosted by The Stirling International.

Taking place on prestigious world class golf courses in four countries between September 2019 and April 2020, the aim of this new Series is to enhance high performance competition amongst the leading student golfers in the UK and Europe.

Duncan Weir, Executive Director of Golf Development and Amateur Championships at The R&A, said, “The R&A has been a long-time supporter of student golf and we are delighted to be extending our involvement in this important area through The R&A Student Tour Series.

“This Series provides students with the opportunity to compete with their international peers regularly in championship conditions and on some of the best courses that Europe has to offer. We want to help leading student golfers to continue developing as players while they undertake their studies.”

Consisting of four championships, The R&A Student Tour Series will be played in Scotland, Ireland, Spain and Portugal at venues that have hosted The Open or been a venue for The Open Qualifying Series or the European Tour including Carton House, Centro Nacional de Golf and Troia.   

Players who compete in two or more championships will earn points on the Tour Series Order of Merit with the leaders progressing to the Tour Series Final to be held at the Old Course, Carnoustie and the Eden Course.

The R&A Student Tour Series extends The R&A’s support of student golf. Each year, The R&A invests almost £500,000 in student and university golf through the Foundation Scholars programme. Currently, the organisation supports golf programmes at 17 universities and in the 2018/2019 academic year, awarded 170 individual Foundation scholarships.

The R&A has supported university and student golf for over 35 years with former scholars including: 2018 Champion Golfer of the Year Francesco Molinari (University of Turin); five-time PGA TOUR winner Hideki Matsuyama; and Catriona Matthew (University of Stirling), the 2019 European Solheim Cup Captain and former Women’s British Open Champion.

LADIES TEAM FOR HOME iNTERNATIONALS -- Come along and Support the Teams

The ladies Team for the Home internationals at Downfield - 7th - 9th August

• Kimberley Beveridge, Aboyne
• Penny Brown, Worthing
• Hannah Darling, Broomieknowe
• Louise Duncan, West Kilbride
• Chloe Goadby, St Regulus
• Hazel MacGarvie, Royal Troon
• Shannon McWilliam, Aboyne

This is the same venue and dates for the Girls Home internationals 

Scottish Teams for 2019

From Karyn Dallas 

If you have a free day or 3 why not come along to support our Girls and Ladies Teams representing Scotland at Home Internationals. This year we are on home soil at Downfield Golf Club and a passionate home crowd would be amazing for the Girls and Ladies! 

Free car parking and free entry! Let's get a good support for the teams....competition is over 3 days with 4somes and singles each day playing against Ireland, England and Wales! 

Should you wish further info just let me know....would love to see the fairways lined with Scotland flags!! #monscotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Scottish Girls Championship Matchplay Results

From the Scottish Golf Website

16 became four in the Scottish Girls’ Amateur Championship at the Blairgowrie Rosemount Course as the matchplay stages got underway today. 

 In the morning’s last-16 ties, three of the top-four seeds, who had finished tied on one-under after the strokeplay, made it safely through to the last-eight. 

Aboyne’s Carmen Griffiths and Blairgowrie’s Katy Alexander both won comfortably while Prestwick’s Rachel Foster progressed in tense fashion, winning at the first extra hole against Ellen Caton of St Regulus. However, Lundin’s Evanna Hynd, who entered the matchplay as fourth seed, was beaten 4&3 by Royal Troon’s Freya Russell. 

 In the afternoon’s quarter final ties, Katy Alexander was the big winner with a storming 7& 5 victory over West Kilbride’s Claire McLaughlin. 

 Speaking to Scottish Golf after reaching the semi-finals, the delighted Blairgowrie member said, “I’m very happy. I think it was my putting that really helped me today, especially as the greens were quite fast. “I’m really looking forward to tomorrow, I’ll just take it one game at a time and enjoy myself.”

Elsewhere, Freya Russell edged out Burntisland’s Porscha Wilson on the 18th, while Rachel Foster came out on top with a 5&3 win over Cameron Neilson. In the final tie of the quarter finals, 6th seed Eilidh Henderson of Loretto defeated Carmen Griffiths who had entered the week as the highest ranked player in the field. 

Tomorrow morning’s Semi Finals will see Katy Alexander taking on Freya Russell and Eilidh Henderson up against Rachel Foster. The Final of the Scottish Girls’ Amateur Championship will then take place tomorrow afternoon over 18 holes. 

 1st Round 
Katy Alexander (Blairgowrie) beat Ailsa Brannock (Castle Douglas) 4&3

Claire McLaughlin (West Kilbride) beat Carys Irvine (Craigielaw) 5&4

Evanna Hynd (Lundin) lost to Freya Russell (Royal Troon) 4&3

Grace Crawford (Gullane ) lost to  Porscha Wilson (Burtisland) 2 holes

Eilidh Henderson (Loretto School) ) beat Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs) 5&4

Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) beat Sophie Murphy (Clydebank) 5&3

Cameron Neilson (Alvaneu Bad) beat Abercrombie Nisbett (Gullane) 3&1

Rachael Foster (Prestwick St. Nicholas) beat Ellen Canton (St Regulus) at the 19th

Quarter Finals

Alexander beat  McLaughlin 7&5

Russell beat Wilson 1 hole

Henderson beat Griffiths 3&1

Neilson lost to Foster 5&3

Semi Finals -- Click to enlarge

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE SCORING

SCOTLAND PIPPED BY ENGLAND AND HAZEL MACGARVIE HAS ANOTHER HOLE IN ONE

European Ladies' Team  Sweden have won the 2019 European Ladies' Team Championship at Is Molas Resort.

The Swedish team defeated Spain in the final to secure back-to-back titles. After winning both of the morning foursomes matches, the Swedish team needed just two points from the afternoon singles to lift the trophy for the ninth time. 

In the match for third place, hosts, Italy, defeated Germany to take home the bronze medals. 

Click to enlarge

Scotland lost 3-2 to England on the final days play  and finished 6th overall in the European Team Championships. Hazel Macgarvie had a hole in one -- another one just 2 weeks after having an Ace at the the Vagliano Trophy  - Ireland were 7th and Denmark 8th 

Click here for all Fight A, B and C Results

Hazel's Hole in One

Captain Susan Wood said  —

“What a week with this fabulous bunch of young ladies! They played their hearts out for Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 It was tough , we had highs and we had lows and battled some extreme heat!!! 4th in strokeplay qualifying and 6th overall and a wee hole in one today for Big Hazel 🤣🤣...... a wonderful effort!!!” 

SCOTLAND QUALIFY FOR THE TOP FIGHT IN EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Scottish Team courtesy of the European Golf Association

Scotland finished in 3rd place after 2 rounds in the European team Championships in Molas Golf Club Italy

Top Scots were Hannah Darling (Broomieknow)  and Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon) who both finished on 3 under par for the 2 rounds .

Scotland now play Spain tomorrow in the top flight draw 

Top flight qualifiers

Scottish Scores:
141; Hannah Darling 70,71:Hazel MacGarvie 69, 72  T9
144; Chloe Goadby 69, 75 T26
145; Shannon McWilliam 69, 76 T37
147; Penny Brown 71,76, T51
153; Eilidh Briggs 78, 75 T94

CLICK HERE FOR ALL RESULTS

From Captain Susan Wood

So today my kids finished 4th in the strokeplay qualifying in Sardinia at the European Team Championships! We now play Spain in the top flight early doors with foursomes starting at 7.20am!!!! Massive good luck to these amazing talented ladies! Actually love spending time with you all! Play hard and remember to have fun !!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿V🇪🇸

European Ladies' Team Championship - Scotland in second place after Day 1

The Ladies European Team Championships is underway at at Molas Golf Resort in Italy.

The first of two rounds of stroke play qualifying are in the books as teams look to finish in the top-eight positions and qualify for the Flight A match play come Wednesday evening.

The five lowest of each team's six scores on days one and two will count towards the teams' stroke play totals European Ladies' Team Championship

Pia Babnik carded the lowest round of all 420 players competing across Europe today. The Slovenian player, who helped the Continent of Europe to victory in the Junior Vagliano Trophy less than a fortnight ago, made eight birdies in the first round  to card a seven-under-par 65.

Hosts, Italy, are currently the team to catch, returning five scores under-par on day one, of which Anna Zanusso's six-under-par 66 was the lowest. The Italians sit on -17 with a five-shot advantage over Scotland, who also signed five scores under-par to reach -12. 

Scots Scores:

69: Hazel MacGarvie Shannon McWillian, Chloe Goadby (T 13)

70: Hannah Darling (T12) 

71: Penny Brown (T34)

78 Eilidh Briggs (Not counted) T106

Defending champions, Sweden, are in third position on -9. Frida Kinhult, the number-one ranked amateur player in the world, made double-bogey on the second hole, but recovered with five birdies to card a three-under-par 69. 

Germany (-7), Spain (-7), England (-5), Denmark (-4)  and the Czech Republic (-3) make up the rest of the top-eight. Ireland (par), Russia (par), and Switzerland (+1) are close behind and will be hoping to improve their position on day two and qualify for the Flight A match play.

For the full leaderboard, please visit the event page HERE

Scottish Golf Reveals European Team Championship Selections

Scottish Golf has today named the squads for the upcoming European Ladies, European Boys and European Amateur (Men’s) Team Championships. Supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments, Scotland’s Men, Women and Boys’ teams will compete across Europe later this month

The European Ladies Team Championship will take place from the 9th to 13th July at Is Molas Golf Club in Italy. Aboyne’s Shannon McWilliam and Royal Troon’s Hazel MacGarvie, who were recently selected as part of the Great Britain and Ireland Vagliano Trophy team, will be part of the squad. They will be joined by 15-year old Hannah Darling, who was also selected for the Junior Vagliano Trophy team.

The other 2 selections are Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Penny Brown (Worthing)

European Ladies Team Championship, Is Molas Golf Club, Italy, 9th to 13th July

• Eilidh Briggs, Kilmacolm
• Penny Brown, Worthing
• Hannah Darling, Broomieknowe
• Chloe Goadby, St Regulus
• Hazel MacGarvie, Royal Troon
• Shannon McWilliam, Aboyne
• Susan Wood (Captain)

To read all the team selections go to the  SCOTTISH GOLF WEBSITE

McWilliam and MacGarvie shine on Day 1 of the Vagliano Trophy

The Continent of Europe claimed a slender 7-5 lead over Great Britain and Ireland after day one of The Vagliano Trophy at Royal St George’s.

Chasing a seventh straight win in the biennial contest, the visitors secured a 3-1 lead after the morning foursomes matches over the renowned Kent links.

In the blustery and warm conditions, Great Britain and Ireland quickly sparked an afternoon fightback with an impressive 7&6 singles victory for Scotland’s Hazel MacGarvie against Girls Amateur champion Emma Spitz.

However, the Continent of Europe managed to half the session 4-4 and go into tomorrow’s final day with the two-point lead as they seek to retain the trophy they last won in Italy in 2017.

At the venue for next year’s 149th Open, there were convincing singles victories for the Continent of Europe pair Leonie Harm and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, defeating Isobel Wardle and Shannon McWilliam in respective 6&5 triumphs.

Great Britain and Ireland, who last lifted The Vagliano Trophy in 2005, fought back as Alice Hewson defeated Alessia Nobilio 3&1. Ireland’s Julie McCarthy then secured a notable 3&1 success against the top-ranked player in the match, Swede Frida Kinhult, who sits 3rdon the World Amateur Golf Ranking™.

Scots shine

The Scottish duo McWilliam and MacGarvie refused to be denied in the bottom match, putting the first point on the board for the home side with a one-hole win over Valenzuela and Roussin-Bouchard.

In the Junior Vagliano Trophy, the Under-16’s version of the competition, Great Britain and Ireland hold a 5-4 lead – helped by two wins from Ireland’s Beth Coulter.

After the Continent of Europe won the foursomes 2-1 in the six-a-side match, the hosts hit back in the singles, with victories from Coulter, Hannah Darling and Darcey Harry. 

Entry is free of charge at Royal St George’s while live scoring, news and video can be followed on The R&A’s website and social media platforms.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT FROM THE R&A WEBSITE