England’s India Clyburn scored a stunning 12 shot victory in the Scottish Junior Ladies’ Open Strokeplay Championship thanks to a final day nine under par 65 at Alloa Golf Club.
England’s India Clyburn scored a stunning 12 shot victory in the Scottish Junior Ladies’ Open Strokeplay Championship thanks to a final day nine under par 65 at Alloa Golf Club.
It was a true exhibition of golf from the Woodhall Spa 17-year-old and she finished on 15 under par 207, a record dozen shots ahead of the top Scottish trio of Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw), Hannah McCook (Grantown-On-Spey) and last year’s winner, Jessica Meek (Carnoustie Ladies).
It is the first non-Scottish winner since Finland’s Rikka Hakkarainen triumphed at Lanark in 1995 – she went on t become a winner on the Ladies’ European Tour
Clyburn is the younger sister of the Ladies’ European Tour winner and former Curtis Cup star, Holly Clyburn, and she was delighted to add to the family’s glittering golfing record.
“That was my best ever round of golf and my best ever win,” said the Lincolnshire Ladies’ Champion. “This year I was runner–up in the Critchley Salver and seventh at the Helen Holm. But this is easily my best achievement outside county golf.
“Alloa is a wonderful golf course and the weather over the three days has been absolutely fantastic. I’d love to come back and try and win the title again.”
Clyburn birdied four holes in the first half – the second, fifth, eighth and ninth – and then dipped to six under the card with an eagle at the tenth. More birdies followed at the 12th, 15th and 16th.
The eagle was the result of holing an 80-yard wedge shot. “I knew I’d hit it well but I didn’t see it go on,” she said. “I heard some cheering but it was only when I go to the green that I realised I had holed out.”
Eventually, her intention is to follow in her big sister’s footsteps. “I've signed up to go to North Carolina State University in August 2015. I’ll spend four years then turn professional. The Curtis Cup is one of my goals.”
MacDonald had four birdies and closed with a level par 74. McCook, the first round leader, eagled the ninth and 13th in a 74. Meek’s closing 76 included a hat-trick of birdies.
