WEST Kilbride golf star Louise Duncan has announced that she will no longer be playing as an amateur, turning professional with immediate effect.

She will make her pro debut at Dundonald Links on July 28 in the Trust Golf Scottish Women's Open, having received an invite to the event from Visit Scotland.

She confirmed the move in a press conference this afternoon, July 19, less than 10 days before the event commences.

It's something Louise admits she had no plans for - but her remarkable past 12 months as an amateur changed her mind.

She said: "Before last year, I didn't really have my eyes set on turning professional, but I have lived it, and I really enjoyed it.

"It all just fell into place, I think I would have been stupid not to take the opportunity."

She also pointed to this being the perfect event to kickstart her professional career, having started her amateur journey in the event's pro-am tournament last year.

Louise added: "It's been a full circle moment. To be here in Dundonald next week, playing in the main event is really special."

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Louise says playing in a tournament so close to home will be great.Louise says playing in a tournament so close to home will be great.

Louise came to prominence in 2021 when she won the Women’s Amateur Championship at Barassie defeating Iceland’s Jóhanna Lea Lúðvíksdóttir by a record-breaking 9&8 margin.

She followed that up with a top 10 finish at the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie, and with it winning the Smyth Salver to announce herself on the world stage.

Other highlights in a stellar amateur career include winning the R&A Student Series in Portugal and representing GB&I in the last two Curtis Cup matches.

Having just completed a sports studies degree at the University of Stirling, where Louise was a major part of the university’s very successful high-performance golf programme, she now looks to follow in the footsteps of fellow alumni Catriona Matthew.