Rising Scottish star Carly McDonald wins Girls' U16s Amateur in record style

Carly McDonald underlined her status as Scottish golf’s brightest young star after following in the footsteps of both Hannah Darling and Grace Crawford by winning the R&A Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship.

The 14-year-old from the St Regulus club in St Andrews recorded the biggest win of her career in style by signing off with a closing seven-under-par 65, the lowest final round from a victor, at Gog Magog.

Carly McDonald shows off the trophy after winning The R&A Girls U16s Championship at Gog Magog | The R&A

Having opened with scores of 68 and 69 and finishing with a record 14-under total of 202. McDonald, from the St Regulus club, McDonald won by three shots from Switzerland’s Lana Guyot, with Estonia’s two shots further back in third.

“It is amazing to have won because this is a really big championship,” said McDonald, who beat Sabrina Wong’s record set last year by four shots. “The R&A run it so well. It almost feels like you’re playing in The Open so I’m delighted to be standing here as the winner.

“It is a bit of a dream come true really. It’s pretty cool because I wasn’t expecting to win. This is my best win so far. I’ve got great memories to hold on to from this week.”

‘Big confidence boost’

Darling landed the title in 2018 at Fulford before Crawford emulated the feat at Enville four years later. McDonald’s win came hot on the heels of her also landing the Scottish Girls’ Open at Luffness.

“This is a big confidence boost because I’ve got some big tournaments planned for this summer, and I want to do well in them,” she added. “One of them is the Girls’ Amateur at Craigielaw so hopefully my confidence will continue because I want to play well in that.”