Laing lifted by timely change in fortunes

Back at the start of the season, in fact, it wouldn’t have been unrealistic to suggest that a Solheim Cup spot was a possibility for the 30-year-old from Musselburgh.

What Laing certainly didn’t expect was to find herself heading into the final few weeks of the season battling to hang on to her card. But, having struggled to recapture her 2010 form, that’s exactly the predicament she found herself in as the circuit arrived in China last week.

She’d made six cuts in 18 events, managed just two top-20 finishes and was seriously in danger of finding herself paying a visit to the Tour School at the beginning of next year.

Not any more, thankfully. Out of the blue, Laing recaptured her true form to finish second in the Sanya Ladies Open in Hainan on Sunday.

She came close to recording her maiden win on the LET circuit, leading the event with a hole to go only to be pipped for the title by Frances Bondad after the Scot dropped a shot and the Australian birdied the hole.

On the one hand, it was a missed opportunity. But, on the other, it was the performance the former Curtis Cup player badly needed to restore some confidence,

“I was nervous all day, pretty much,” reflected Laing, who has jumped 39 places to 58th on the Henderson money-list with earnings of just over £31,000.

“I knew that I was leading coming down the stretch. I was just trying to stick to my game and, for the most part, I’m pretty happy with it.

“It was nice to be in contention coming down the stretch and, hopefully, I’ll keep having more opportunities. I didn’t do anything terribly different last week than the rest of the year. There’s really not a big difference in golf. I think just re-focusing rather than working on my swing and accepting what happens, is key for me. Just keep my intentions clear and take it one shot at a time.

“I’ll try and remember the good stuff from last week and forget the last hole. I just missed it a little bit right on 18 and got unlucky with the bunker: it plugged and was up against the face.”

The four-time Scottish Girls’ champion said she had been initially unsure that the performance had secured her card for another year.

“It took that to get my butt in gear, so I’m certainly happy,” she added. “This will definitely spur me on. It’s all confidence. It’s great to shoot four-under and be in contention on the last day.”

Heading into this week’s Suzhou Taihu Ladies’ Open, Kylie Walker is still the leading Scot on the money-list.

Building on her encouraging rookie campaign last year, The Carrick on Loch Lomond player is lying 49th with earnings of around £37,000.

From China, the LET moves on to India then Dubai for the season-ending Omega Ladies Masters. Lynn Kenny, lying 102nd, is facing a visit back to the Tour School, as are Carly Booth (107th) and Clare Queen (139th).

As for Krystle Caithness, mystery surrounds her golfing future. The Fifer, who finished 31st on the money-list last season, has played just one event – the Ladies Scottish Open – since the beginning of June and is lying 137th on the rankings.

It has been rumoured she has packed in golf but the player herself declined to comment on her situation when contacted by The Scotsman.