A closing bogey failed to dampen Louise Duncan’s joy at comfortably making the cut at the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie this morning.
The 21-year-old delighted her army of supporters yesterday with a brilliant 68 on competition debut and today followed it up with a 73 to finish three under and well inside the expect +1 cut off.
However she did have a wobble in the middle of today’s round – she bogeyed 8, 9 and 11 – and for a while was worried about dropping back towards even par.
How Louise Duncan thrived at the AIG Women’s Open
“It was a lot different from yesterday – It was a ride ,” said the British Amateur champion.
“Some ups, some downs. Overall I am happy with the way I battled. Unfortunate bogey at the last but what can you do.
“On ten I thought this could go horrendously but I managed to stick in there and stay patient and Dean (caddy and coach Dean Robertson) helped a lot with that.”
Playing alongside 2018 champion Georgia Hall and American Megan Khang, the West Kilbride and University of Stirling star recovered brilliantly with birdies at 13, 14 and 16 to get back to four under.
“I wasn’t going great at that point. Then we got to the par three and I remembered yesterday when I holed that putt and thankfully did the same and felt great after. I knew I had a chance the following hole and I took my chances and played great.”
Unfortunately she couldn’t follow up a peach of a drive on 18, her seven iron from 150 yards finding a green-side bunker and plugging. She was able to splash out to 14 feet and just shaved the hole with her par putt.
Despite the dropped shot she once again got a fantastic round of applause on completing her round and was full of appreciation for the home crowd giving her so much support.
Louise added: “I’ve never had that before. I obviously had it yesterday but to have that again today was great. It was just a shame I didn’t hit the green and two putt.
“I was happy to make good contact in the bunker and not thin it through the back because there were strong images in my head of doing that.”
She will be joined for the final two rounds by her Curtis Cup team-mate Lauren Walsh. The Irish ace birdied 17 and 18 to complete a brilliant back nine – she also birdied 11 and 12 – to reach halfway one under.
“I hit two good shots into 17 and 18 and finally got some putts to drop,” said the Castlewarden star.
“I was happy with where my game was yesterday but just didn’t score very well. I knew today I could shoot a couple under and get myself back up the leaderboatd to try and make the cut.”