Hannah Darling 'excited' about making LPGA Tour debut in California

Scot secured exemption after helping her college team land win on same course earlier in year

University of South Carolina junior Hannah Darling is joining Gemma Dryburgh in flying the Saltire in this week's LPGA Tour event.

Hannah Darling, Scotland’s top-ranked amateur golfer, is making her LPGA Tour debut this week as she joins Gemma Dryburgh in flying the Saltie in the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship in California.

The Broomieknowe member has been handed the exciting opportunity after being of a victorious University of South Carolina side over the same course - Palos Verdes - in the Therese Hession Regional Challenge - earlier this year.

Darling, a junior with the Gamecocks, was selected by South Carolina head coach Kalen Anderson as the recipient of the exemption after winning three out of three in her matches in that event.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to play in my first LPGA Tour event back at Palos Verdes Golf Club,” said Darling, who, more recently, landed her first individual success on the US college circuit as she ended up in a four-way tie in the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate in South Carolina.

“I loved the course earlier in the year and I’m excited to come back and have the opportunity to compete in my first LPGA Tour event with the best players in the world. It is something that I’ve been looking forward to for a very long time, so this is going to be very special.”

It is the first of two big assignments for Darling, who is preparing for her third successive appearance in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur next month.

Dryburgh is delighted to be joined by her compatriot in an event honouring Pak, who won 25 times on the LPGA, including five majors. “I was very excited to see that when I saw the field list,” said the Scottish No 1. “It will be a great experience for her and hopefully she’ll be joining me on tour very soon!”