Inaugural Scottish Girls' U16 Open Championship

The 2024 Scottish Girls' U16 Open Championship, hosted at the pristine Muckhart Golf Club, concluded with resounding success, marking a historic year as the event was held independently from the U14's Open for the first time. Over three days of intense stroke play, 71 of the best young female golfers competed fiercely, with 58 making the cut at +35 by the end of the second round on Wednesday.

The course at Muckhart was in exceptional condition, garnering praise from both players and spectators. This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the club’s new greenkeeping team, whose efforts ensured a superb playing surface throughout the tournament.

The opening day on Tuesday presented a formidable challenge with wet and windy conditions. Irish golfer Kayleigh Mulholland emerged as the standout performer, navigating the tough weather and challenging course with a remarkable round that included three birdies and two eagles, finishing at an astonishing five-under-par.

Lauren Crump surged into the lead on day two

Day two saw a shift to drier, calmer weather, providing a perfect backdrop for the golfers to showcase their skills. England’s Lauren Crump seized the opportunity, surging into the lead midway through the day. Her round was highlighted by five birdies on the front nine and another on the 16th, finishing the day at three-under-par for the round and two-under-par overall. In contrast, Mulholland struggled, finishing seven-over-par for the round and dropping down the leaderboard.

Entering the final day, Crump held a commanding seven-shot lead over a cluster of competitors sitting at five-over-par. However, the competition was far from over. English golfer Ellie Lichtenhein delivered a stunning performance, reducing Crump’s lead to just four shots at the turn with two birdies on the 5th and 6th holes.

Down to the final hole at the Scottish Girls' U16 Open Championship

Lichtenhein continued to apply pressure with four more birdies on the back nine, narrowing Crump’s lead to a single shot by the 17th hole, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Lauren Crump however, displayed remarkable composure. She responded with crucial birdies on the 16th and 17th holes, extending her lead to three shots. Despite the thrilling challenge posed by Lichtenhein, Crump maintained her excellent standard and, after a gracious moment from Daisy Lee on the 18th green, confidently sank her final putt to clinch the championship.

Lauren Crump said:

"To win this competition means a huge deal to me. To win against a field of such class was incredible.

"I found the course a challenge and I felt I would need to shoot under par to have a chance of winning. I had a moment on the 17th green (on the final round), I had about a 30ft putt for a birdie, and I went straight in the middle. That was the moment I knew I could have a chance of winning.

"It was amazing sharing the course with my sister (Lucy Crump), she's put so much hard work into this week and for her to make the cut was just such an amazing experience for her."

Top Scottish talent

Among the talented field, Melissa Keay from Ralston Golf Club shone as the highest-placed Scot, finishing 5th overall after ending the tournament at +5. Keay's consistent performance throughout the competition highlighted her potential and skill, making her a standout among the Scottish participants.

Scottish Golf added: "The 2024 Scottish Girls' U16 Open Championship at Muckhart Golf Club was a thrilling and memorable event, showcasing the incredible talent and sportsmanship of young female golfers. Lauren Crump’s victory was a testament to her skill and ability under pressure. The success of this inaugural independent U16 competition promises a bright future."

The 2025 Scottish Girls' U16 Open Championship will be at Hamilton Golf Club.

View the full 2024 Scottish Girls U16 Open Championship leaderboard here.