West Kilbride’s Louise Duncan played impressive golf to record a dominant victory in The 118th Women’s Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock (Barassie).

The 21-year-old won by 9&8, the largest winning margin in Women’s Amateur Championship history.

On the Barassie links, just down the road from her home course of West Kilbride, Duncan emerged victorious over Jóhanna Lea Lúđvíksdóttir of Iceland and a field of almost 100 players who started in the championship.

On winning, Louise said: “It’s mental, I can’t believe it, it’s ridiculous. I’ve got no words, I am over the moon.

“This is a massive win, I don’t think I can win any bigger. It’s definitely the best week of my life. To do it in Ayrshire has been brilliant.

“I couldn’t have written it any better; to win in front of friends and family and the locals. The support I have had this week has been unbelievable.

“I was emotional as soon as I won but I think it has sunk in a wee bit and I am over the moon.”

She is the first Scot to claim the title since Alison Rose in 1997 and joins a roll of honour that includes victors such as Anna Nordqvist (2008), Georgia Hall (2013), Céline Boutier (2015) and Leona Maguire (2017).

Louise continued: “I wasn’t even born in 1997, I wasn’t even a thought.

“So, I am unbelievably proud to be the first Scot to win the Women’s Amateur Championship in that amount of time. I am happy to have brought it home.”

Duncan, who is a student at Stirling University and an R&A scholar, can now set her sights on an number of

exciting opportunities including the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie in August and, traditionally, the US

Women’s Open, The Evian Championship and Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship.

Duncan displayed early nerves on the first nine holes of the match and was down a hole twice to Lúđvíksdóttir.

However, a birdie at the ninth and an eagle at the 11th was the start of her commanding hold on the match.

She went into the lunchbreak with a five up lead after winning the last four consecutive holes.