Carly Booth thrilled as she takes big step towards US dream

HAVING achieved her ambition of winning twice on the Ladies European Tour before turning 20 – the birthday she celebrates on Thursday – Carly Booth is likely to chase her American dream on the LPGA Tour within the next couple of seasons.

After a sluggish start to her professional career, the Comrie player has catapulted herself to the top of the LET money-list on the back of a quickfire double, following up a Scottish Ladies Open success at Archerfield Links last month by adding the Swiss equivalent on Sunday.

“Carly wanted to get a good grounding on the LET and she is delighted to have fulfilled her goal of winning two events on that circuit before her 20th birthday,” The Scotsman was told last night by Celina Radwanski, of Booth’s management company IMG.

“Her aim is to eventually play on the LPGA Tour – that’s where she wants to be. And, though there is no need to rush things, on the back of two wins in quick succession, it’s one of the things that we will be discussing with Carly.”

After landing the Scottish title in East Lothian, Booth, who first underlined her potential when becoming the youngest club champion at the age of 11 at Dunblane New, insisted her immediate focus would continue to be on events on this side of the Atlantic. “My aim was always to win on this tour and establish myself before thinking about the LPGA,” she said. “I don’t think I’m ready for that just yet.”

The LPGA Tour may, indeed, be a step up but, having also now won the third biggest event on the LET in Switzerland, there will surely be a growing temptation for Booth to try her luck on that more lucrative circuit before too long. That could be at the Qualifying School at the end of the year, especially if the Scot can put another feather in her cap by finishing this season as the European No 1.

There’s still a long way to go but, with earnings of almost exactly £100,000, she’s not just out in front but also has a cushion over second-placed Christel Boeljon from the Netherlands. “If Carly can hold on to the top spot in the order of merit, she will be a very happy girl indeed,” added Radwanski.

Booth will be hoping to maintain her good form in this week’s Prague Masters, then she has a couple of weeks off before turning her thoughts to a major appearance in the Evian Masters in France. “She is really looking forward to the Evian event and also the Ricoh Women’s British Open, having gained an exemption into that at Hoylake in September as well,” said Radwanski.