Taylor takes Open Under-16 title

EMILY Taylor, a 15-year-old from Royal Lytham & St Annes, rolled in six-foot putts at each of the closing three holes to secure a one-shot triumph in the SLGA Scottish Open Under-16 Stroke Play Championship at Strathmore.

Four off the lead at the halfway stage after an opening 74 over the Perthshire course, Taylor shot a six-under-par 66 in her second round, signing for a card that contained five birdies and an eagle.

The latter came at the par-5 12th, where she hit a rescue wood to three feet and rolled in the putt. "That was the turning point as three of my birdies came after that," said Taylor, who won the Lancashire Women's Championship last year. She won by a shot from fellow English challenger, Ashley Crammond, after the Warwickshire player also saved her best golf of the week for the second day with a 68.

"I played really well today – a lot better than yesterday," added Taylor, who lives just outside Lytham and plays off one. "On the last three holes I had six-foot putts and holed them all."

Ailsa Summers of Carnoustie Ladies finished as the leading Scot in 16th after a second-round 74 for 149. The highlight of her round was an eagle-3 at the 14th. Both her clubmate, Jessica Meek, and Lesley Atkins, now playing out of Gullane, finished two shots back after day-two rounds of 78 and 76 respectively.