Scotland’s Grace Crawford produced a stunning final round performance to come out on top at the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open on the Old Course at Royal Troon today.
Crawford ended a 20-year wait for a home victory in the event, becoming the first Scot to win since Heather Stirling in 2002. At just 15 years old, she also becomes the youngest winner of the Helen Holm since Leona Maguire in 2009.
Heading into the final round tied for the lead with Ellinor Sudow, Crawford got off to a blistering start, birdieing her opening three holes in windy conditions on the Ayrshire coast.
After a solid par at the 4th, Grace added another birdie at the 5th before finishing the front nine with four pars to turn in 32 and hold a three-shot lead over England’s Thalia Kirby.
As the final groups moved on to the back nine, Crawford kept the momentum going with a birdie at the 11th that, coupled with a bogey from Kirby on 13, saw the lead extend to five shots.
On the 13th, Crawford made her only bogey of the day as the lead became four, but she reacted well to par the next three holes. A birdie for Kirby on 16 closed the gap to three shots briefly but a bogey on 17 meant the lead returned to four.
Unfazed by the occasion, Crawford made solid pars on 17 and 18 to post a stunning final round of 68 (-4) and claim a four-shot victory over Kirby.
Speaking after her final round, a delighted Crawford told Scottish Golf, “I’m super pleased, it wasn’t easy out there. I got off to a good start, I was hitting some good irons and converting off it.
“After that I just kept it steady as it was still anyone’s game; if I did it on the front nine someone else could have done it on the back.
“My nerves were fine, I was just enjoying it, this is what you work towards. This is my highest achievement yet, it’s a great competition to win. I always imagined winning it and it’s just great to do it. Being the first Scottish winner in 20 years is special as well.”
Third place was claimed by overnight joint leader Ellinor Sudow who made birdie on 18 to finish +3 for the tournament.
In the team event, it was also a home victory for the Scottish duo of Chloe Goadby and Lorna McClymont.
A full list of final scores from the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open can be found here.
