An award-winning young West Kilbride golfer will tee-off in a prestigious contest as the R&A Student Tour Series is back for a second season, teeing off at the Fairmont St Andrews this week.

Louise Duncan, a student at the University of Stirling, will compete in the Series after a memorable season in which she won the Women’s Amateur Championship

and Smyth Salver as the leading amateur in the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie after finishing in the top 10.

She also represented Great Britain and Ireland at the Curtis Cup last month.

An R&A scholar, Duncan competed in the 2019 R&A Student Tour Series, recording a course record three-under-par 69 at Troia in Portugal.

She reached third on the order of merit before the Series was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Last month, Duncan delighted the home crowds to sit just a shot off the lead after a superb four-under-par 68, to sit in a share of fourth place.

It was highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 14th and four solid closing pars over Carnoustie’s demanding finish.

She said: “Emotions were very nervous with a wee bit of excitement in there. Then when it started to go really well, the nerves came back and my heart rate went up.

“Overall, I really enjoyed it, and I’m already looking forward to tomorrow.

“The cheers at the end were definitely special. A wee bit unexpected as well, but, yes, they were special.”

The Student Series will include four championships that will be played in Scotland, Ireland, Spain and Portugal at venues that have hosted The Open, Final Qualifying, LPGA and European Tour events.

Players who compete in two or more championships will earn points on the Series Order of Merit with the leaders progressing to the Tour Series Final to be held in St Andrews.

The Series was first launched in 2019 to provide student golfers throughout UK and Europe with high performance playing opportunities.

It was not played during 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A said, “We look forward to seeing who will prevail as the leading golfer in St Andrews next year.”