One of Bedford’s brightest golf stars has added to a growing trophy cabinet with a stunning five-shot victory at the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championship held at Royal Troon over the Easter weekend.
Roisin Scanlon, 17, was the only woman to finish under par after the 54-hole event after rounds of 72, 69 and 71 saw her to a final score of 4 under par, five shots ahead of runner up, Jessica Hall and six ahead of another name from Bedfordshire’s burgeoning golf scene in Luca Thompson.
Scanlon had to adapt, along with the rest of the field, to playing her final round on the Old Course at Royal Troon – home of The Open Championship on ten separate occasions – after opening rounds of 72 and 69 around Royal Troon’s Portland Course.
The victory adds to an impressive second placed finish at the Scottish Girls’ Open at Arbroath Golf Links the previous week, adding to a third place finish at the same event in 2022 as a 14-year old, and completes one of her most successful fortnights on the amateur circuit.
“I was nervous and it was due to the fact that the last round is on a different golf course so although I played well the first two days anything can happen,” said Scanlon.
“This is my first time playing this event and it’s really special that we’re even allowed out here and we get to play, especially on a Sunday. We’re very privileged.”
Scanlon won the biggest tournament of her career to date with her Dad, Anthony on the bag and also reflected on her victory in front of an onlooking family.
“My parents come to all my tournaments and this week was special, because I go to a boarding school and I don’t get to see them most of the year.
“It was nice to have dad on the bag so he can watch me play golf after not having seen me for three months! Their support is always appreciated,” added Roisin.
“He gets stressed and I get stressed too but it worked out really well this week – we’re good partners.
“I didn’t know my lead until I was coming down 18. I said to dad ‘if I get a par on 18 will I be ok?’ and he said I’d be more than ok!”
Roisin Scanlon has spent a few years growing familiar with bigger tournaments and stamped her name on the amateur game with a top ten finish at the world-renowned R&A Women’s Amateur Championships at the age of just 14.
Amongst a plethora of regional and national titles, Scanlon also tasted success Stateside with victory on the Underrated Golf Tour in the United States, hosted by NBA star, Steph Curry in 2023.
Read: Young golfer Roisin Scanlon wins Steph Curry’s Underrated Golf Tour
In winning this championship, just the fifth Irish winner in the 52-year history of the tournament, Scanlon has set herself up for another stellar summer with tournaments throughout, and she has now marked herself as a name to watch in Women’s golf for the future.
