A FANTASTIC week at Dundonald Links was rounded off by a dramatic final round in the Scottish Women’s Open with low scoring from all over the leaderboard.

Unfortunately, it was a disappointing weekend for the Scots with Louise Duncan and Michelle Thompson missing the cut. However some solid golf from Gemma Dryburgh saw her finish on -6 putting her in a tie for 34th place with Kylie Henry finishing on +1 in a tie for 69th.

Early in the day Madelene Sagstrom and defending champion Ryann O’Toole set the pace with an eight under and seven under round respectively.

Ayaka Furue

Ayaka Furue

At one point it looked as though one of these women were going to post a score for the leaders to worry about with birdie putts dropping consistently in the first 12 holes for both ladies. In the end a course record equalling round of 64 for Madelene was not enough and it was all in the hands of the Round 3 leaders.

Celine Bouttier and Lydia Ko started the day off at -15 and it looked as if it could be a shootout between the two. With Leonie Harm finely positioned one shot back someone from that trio was expected to kick on.

Ayrshire’s own Louise Duncan, left and, below, Lydia Ko on the 18th

Ayrshire’s own Louise Duncan, left and, below, Lydia Ko on the 18th

World number 4, Ko and Germany’s Harm had stop, start rounds with Ko shooting a one under 71 and Harm a three over 75.

Bouttier on the other hand led the leader’s charge and got herself into a solo lead a -19, but nobody could have predicted the consistent excellence of Ayaka Furue.

The 22-year-old from Kobe, Japan shot a course record 62 in a show of perfect links golf to come from four shots behind at the beginning of the day to win by three clear shots.

Lydia Ko on the 18th

Lydia Ko on the 18th

Speaking about her victory Furue said: “I’m very happy. I was four shots back. I thought it would be difficult to catch the top, good players. But I’m very happy I played good golf and I was able to come out as a winner. I had the right mindset.

“I thought I had to go low, and I played very well. I hit good shots. All around my game was good, and the birdie putts I wanted to make and had to make, I was able to make.

“My best part was I was very straight this week. And I made a lot of putts, short ones, and was able to make a few long ones, also.

“I putted well today. But all week, I putted very well. I’ve been working on putting two balls at once to square up the face to the ball and that helped me.”

Talking about her secret weapon, Scottish caddie Michael Scott she said, “He was very helpful. Right after I won and I was notified that I was the winner, I was very grateful that Mike got to experience it in his home country. I’m very grateful.”

The Open has confirmed that they will be returning to Dundonald Links in 2023 and Furue has already said she looks forward to coming back to defend her title.