Carly Booth holds nerve to secure Open spot

LEADING home hope Catriona Matthew will have Carly Booth for company in this week’s Ricoh Women’s British Open after the Comrie player survived a nail-biting play-off at Kingsbarns.

Catriona Matthew, seated in pale blue jumper, is among some top names due to take part in the Womens British Open. Picture: Getty

Booth, the 21-year-old Scottish Ladies’ Open champion, showed nerves of steel to secure her spot alongside former winner Matthew in the star-studded line-up on the Old Course on Thursday.

In a low-scoring final qualifying event, she was left to sweat over a dropped shot at the 17th after carding a three-under-par 69. With just 16 spots up for grabs, it did cost her automatic qualification as 12 players shot 68 or better. But, in a 12-player play-off for the final four places, Booth rose to the occasion with a birdie at the opening hole.

Sweden’s Louise Larsson and Spaniard Tania Elosegui also birdied the first to progress before Larsson’s compatriot, Camilla Lennarth, claimed the 16th and final spot at the expense of English amateur Lauren Taylor.

Chinese player Xiyu Lin topped the field with a flawless 65 while other qualifiers included American Laura Diaz and Welsh amateur Amy Boulden, a member of winning Curtis Cup side at Nairn last year.

Pamela Pretswell fell one short of the play-off, as did Kelsey MacDonald, while it also proved an unsuccessful attempt by Michele Thomson and Vikki Laing, both with 72s, and Germany-based Scottish amateur Fiona Liddell (78).