Duncan excited but confident ahead of Carnoustie challenge

It’s all been a bit of rollercoaster for Louise Duncan this year – but the best is yet to come for the young Scot, making her debut in a pro event at Carnoustie.

The 21-year old from West Kilbride won the British Women’s Amateur at Kilmarnock Barassie in record fashion early this year, catapulting her from the relative obscurity of the Scotland and Stirling University golf teams into major championships and visits to Augusta National.

She is trying to take it all in, but nerves are flying all over the place.

“I don’t know if I’ll sleep tonight, I didn’t sleep much on Monday night and that was just a practice round,” she said.

“I’ll be concentrating on just making contact on the first tee.

“Seriously, it’s really exciting and a bit surreal as well. It’s not been lifechanging but certainly career and seasonchanging. I couldn’t have imagined playing in all this at the start of the season.

“But I’ve played my way into these things, the AIG Women’s Open and the Augusta Women’s Invitational next spring. I’ve given myself these opportunities and it gives me confidence knowing I’ve done that.”

She could hardly have picked out a better threeball than 2018 champion Georgia Hall and the USA’s Megan Khang for this morning, as well, and she’s had plenty advice from one golfer in particular.

“I played with Catriona (Matthew) on Tuesday and that was massive,” said Louise. “Just to get her advice about playing here and see how she played the course.”

Louise Duncan has had a whirlwind year.