Lorna McClymont hopes she can put aside any nerves she will have and just enjoy the experience of leading going into the final round of the Flogas Irish Women’s and Girls Amateur Open Championship today.
The Scot leads England’s Millie Thompson by the minimum while Knock’s Katie Poots is just two shots behind after a five-under 69 and she is looking forward to the challenge.
“Just trying to enjoy it and trying to keep it going and not let a bad shot affect how the next shot goes and keep my head high.
“I might feel a wee bit of pressure but I will try put that aside and just enjoy tomorrow and whatever happens, happens and just see how it goes. Enjoying it is the main thing.”
McClymont threatened to leave the chasing pack in her wake after she demolished the front nine in six-under but a back nine bookended by bogeys has set up a potential Sunday thriller with eleven players within five shots of the lead.
The University of Stirling student posted birdies at the second, third, fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth and although she couldn’t keep her remarkable run going, she was happy with how she played.
“I holed quite a few good putts, my driving was pretty good like yesterday to put myself in really good positions and the putting was there.
“I couldn’t tell you what happened on the back nine. I bogeyed the tenth and I gave myself chances but didn’t take them. I didn’t change anything and kept attacking and see what happens.”
McClymont was the clubhouse leader in round one for much of the day after playing “smart golf” in the worst of the Friday rain as she ground out a one-under 73. Today she got to see Baltray in all its beauty as the course was baked in early summer sunshine and she is loving it.
“Yeah this course is unbelievable, the condition of it is outstanding. It’s probably one of my favourite links courses to play.
“Yesterday was about keeping dry and just keep it together as much as it is hard when it’s windy and raining it’s just about whoever is the smartest out there and trying to keep dry.”
It has already been an excellent year for the 21-year-old winning the R&A Student Tour Series and booking her spot on the international Palmer Cup side alongside Athenry’s David Kitt.
The links specialist will be in unfamiliar territory in the Swiss mountains this July but she is already buzzing for it.
“I’m really looking forward to it I can’t wait. Just really excited for my first time in Switzerland.”
McClymont tees off with Thompson and Poots at 11am.
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