Poots second as McClymont claims Flogas Irish Women’s Amateur Open
Katie Poots (Knock) winner of the Girl’s title in the Flogas Irish Women’s and Girls’ Amateur Open Championship at County Louth Golf Club. Picture: Fran Caffrey / Golffile
Knock's Katie Poots was thrilled to take second place and the Girls' title as Scotland's Lorna McClymont cruised to a four-shot win in the Flogas Irish Women's Amateur Open at County Louth.
The recent winner of the Fairhaven Trophy, Poots went into the final round two shots behind McClymont on three-under-par and cancelled out bogeys at the first and eighth by following birdies and the second and sixth with an eagle three at the ninth to head down the stretch tied for the lead.
But University of Stirling star McClymont, who started her round with a double bogey on the first, said her early mistake helped her relax, and she went on to make six birdies to add the Irish strokeplay title to her win in the R&A Student Series.
Flogas Irish Women’s Amateur Open
"It took the pressure off me," McClymont said after becoming the first Scottish winner of the title since Hannah McCook in 2018.
"I felt everything was fine, and it was all about making birdies for the rest of the round."
After making birdies at the fourth and ninth to turn tied for the lead, the eventual champion played the back nine in four-under 32 by following a birdie four at the 11th with three birdies at the last three holes.
Lorna McClymont (Scotland) winner of the Flogas Irish Women's Amateur Open Championship at County Louth Golf Club 08/05/2022. Picture: Fran Caffrey / Golffile
"It's an amazing achievement," added the Scot, who was the only player to break par in all three rounds, having opened with rounds of 73 and 70. "I'm delighted I was able to keep it up for the three rounds."
Her four-under 70 left her at the top on the leaderboard on nine-under, four strokes ahead of Poots, who had to settle for a two-under 72 after finishing with nine straight pars.
"I played pretty solid there today, just the putts weren't dropping, but sure I am happy enough and really happy with coming second too," said Poots, who took the Under 18 title by a shot from her Irish teammate Marina Joyce Moreno.
"Lorna played class, and her putting at the end was class. I am delighted for her. I didn't make as many birdies as I wanted to on the back nine, but I finished well."
Spain based Joyce Moreno finished third overall on four-under after a closing, two-under 72 for the lone bogey-free round of the week.
Wales' Gracie Mayo closed with a best-of-the-week 69 to finish tied fourth on two-under with Switzerland's Yana Beeli and Sweden's Ida Lindqvist.
Milltown's Ellen O'Gorman was tied 11th on two-over after a 73, with Ballybunion's Emma O'Driscoll joint 15th on three-over after a closing 77.
