Stirling golf scholars Lorna McClymont and George Cannon got off to a winning start on this season’s Student Tour Series.
McClymont smashed the women’s course record by six strokes on Tuesday to take an eight-shot lead, but a second-round 79 meant the 22-year-old prevailed by only a single stroke.
The men’s title also came back to Stirling as Cannon claimed a first Student Tour Series win on his debut. The 19-year-old survived a three-man playoff after two rounds of one-under-par 70.
Record-breaker
On a breezy Wednesday on the Montrose Links, scores at the Stirling Invitational shot up, but McClymont had already teed up her victory with a scintillating opening round.
The Scottish international made the turn at seven-under-par after five birdies and an eagle in the first seven holes.
Four more birdies and another eagle followed in the back nine, and it could’ve been even better as the Milngavie golfer missed a seven-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a 59.
McClymont told the R&A: “It’s hard to put into words. Everything just fell into place. I was able to go through my routine, and I stuck to the plan that I had.
“I knew that putt was for a 59, so it wasn’t a great end to the round. I’m a wee bit disappointed because it was really the only putt I missed all day. But I’ll take it on the chin; it’s the best round of golf I’ve ever played.”
Stirling’s high-performance coach, Dean Robertson, described the round as: “without doubt one of the best rounds of golf I have ever witnessed by any amateur or professional in my career.”
The sports science student struggled in her second round, but despite signing for a six-over-par 79, McClymont had done enough to lift a fourth Student Tour Series title in her last five starts.
“I’ll learn from both rounds of golf. (In the first round) it was good to learn to have that control and how it feels. (In the second round) it was good because I learned there are times when golf doesn’t always go your way,” she said.
Cannon claims debut title
Fellow Stirling student Cannon triumphed in the men’s event to secure a double for the uni.
Cannon, who studies business and finance, fended off Stirling teammate Will Coxon and Englishman Ben Willis in the playoff.
Two steady rounds booked Cannon’s spot in the playoff as the three players finished level on two-under-par for the event.
It took three trips down the par-four second hole to decide the winner, but a par got the Glenbervie member off to a dream start on the Student Tour Series.
Cannon said: “I’ve worked really hard over the summer, and Dean (Robertson) has put in a lot of hard work with me. He’s given me a lot of confidence, and you can’t beat that. I only got in the team last week, so it’s a great start.”
The second Student Tour series takes place at Le Golf National in France from October 24 to 26.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter @RandA
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