Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods and Louise Duncan. They all have something in common - they played at Augusta National this month.
From West Kilbride to Georgia, Louise was truly walking the same path as the world’s greatest when she teed up for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Tournament.
She told the Herald: “Augusta National was just like Disneyland for golfers. It’s just a place you idealise going to and getting there walking around you’re just in awe of the people you are watching and in serious jealousy that they get to play.
“It has to be top three on the bucket list without a doubt. Such a surreal experience.”
Arguably the world’s most famous course in its own right, it is certainly home to golf’s most famous stretch of holes, from 11 to 13.
Louise continued: “It was crazy to be playing Amen Corner, it was a strange feeling because you watch people make birdies, bogies and sometimes worse and just wonder how they done it but then you go play and do what I did, put it in the water at 12, and then realise how easily done it is.
“The greens are the hardest part of the course, you’d read a putt and think something then the caddy would say no it’s probably got three foot more break, which you then can’t believe.
“So you don’t hit it on that line then get quickly proven wrong. The fairways are so undulated that you never have a flat shot, so you have to get really creative with approaches.”
The Women’s amateur event took place only a week before the Masters - male golf’s first major of the year. It means Louise was battling it out only days before the game’s elite began their journey for the coveted green jacket.
She commented: “There was a real buzz about it, it’s their busiest week of the year by far so to be around when the best male players are going to be teeing it up the week after was pretty special.”
The tournament itself proved a challenge, with Louise ultimately missing the cut, finishing 15 over par through her two rounds. Only one player would finish the tournament with a total score below par.
Louise said: “It obviously never went the way I wanted it to go but I’ve learnt loads and it’s probably going to be an important lesson for me.
“Having to watch the final round from the sidelines was a blow, so I never want to be in that position again. It’s motivated me to become smarter when I don’t have my A-game.”
Louise also had a strong support network out with her.
She said: “Obviously I’d like to thank my family, they came out to watch and experience it all with me.
“My coach Iain Darroch also came out with me to help and experience it.”
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