University of Stirling golfer, Lorna McClymont, held off some of Europe's best university golfers this past week to win her third straight R&A Student Tour Series event at Infinitum Golf in Tarragona, Spain.
McClymont began the final round two shots behind Royal Agricultural University student Darcey Harry, but returned a closing 72, one over par, to join her 18-year-old Welsh counterpart at the top of the leaderboard on five-over 218.
The 21-year-old Sports Studies student did so with a clutch birdie on the par-5 final hole when she hit the green in two and two putted to join the play-off. She replicated that feat in extra time to break the deadlock.
“I knew I had to go for it at the last and was pleased to see the ball land on the green,” said McClymont. “In the play-off I was even closer to the green and hit a 4-iron, so that hole was crucial for me today."
Having won all three The R&A Student Tour Series events in Ireland, Portugal and Spain, McClymont topped the qualifying stage for the Series Final, to be staged in Scotland (4 - 6 April), and will be heading to Dumbarnie Links, and The Castle and Jubilee courses in St Andrews full of confidence.
“It’s a bit special to think I’ve won the last three (Tour Series events). It gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season. I’m back in Spain in two weeks for the European Nations Cup at Sotogrande, and how I played this week will help me with that experience. It will also help me for the rest of the season.”
Commenting on McClymont's run of success, University of Stirling High Performance Golf Coach, Dean Robertson, added, “Lorna’s been working hard on her game and this win just proves it. She managed her game well today. Those two shots at 18 were clutch. I’m proud of her.”
It was nearly double joy for Stirling as Ben Brookes was tied for 1st place at the end of the final round, but agonisingly lost out to Eoin Sullivan of Trinity College who chipped in from 30 yards to win the title on the first play-off hole.
Despite the disappointing ending, it was an excellent week for second-year Sport Business Managemenet student, Brookes, who was happy with his overall performance. He said: “I played well all three days,” he said. “I birdied the play-off hole, so I can’t really complain about losing to an eagle.”
Taking place on prestigious world-class golf courses, The R&A Student Tour Series aims to provide elite amateur championships and enhance high performance competition amongst leading student golfers outside of the USA and Mexico.
Read more about The R&A Student Tour Series and the University of Stirling high performance golf programme.