Matthew heaps praise on ‘impressive’ teen Crawford
Grace Crawford’s purple patch has been hailed as “impressive” by Catriona Matthew, who has helped her fellow North Berwick native become Scottish golf ’s new rising star.
Fifteen-year-old Crawford won the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open at Royal Troon just a fortnight ago, becoming the first Scottish player to claim that coveted title for 20 years.
Brimming with confidence, she then added the R&A Girls’ Under-16 Amateur at Enville in the Midlands, where the West Links player finished four shots ahead of a strong field.
“It’s impressive,” said Matthew,thenewwomen’sscottish Opentournamentambassador, of Crawford’s double success during a trip home from the Bahamas, where she is a member of Albany Golf Academy.
“It’s great she is still playingage group events. The danger is you can jump too soon up another level. It’s a great experience to win a lot, at whatever level. The winning feeling is invaluable. It’s great to get used to that feeling.”
Crawford’stitletriumphshave come on the back of Louise Duncan and Hannah Darling winningthewomen’samateur andgirls’amateurchampionships respectively last year.
They have also just been selected for the Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team for thesecondmatchrunning,with thisyear’seditiontakingplaceat Merion in June.
“Grace, Hannah and Louise all seem to have their heads screwed on,” observed Matthew,whoisinvolvedwithscottishgolfinamentoringroleand
alsonowsitsontheboardalong with fellow major winner Paul Lawrie.“theyarefocussedand have that quiet determination. They get the job done. I played with Grace a few times. It’s nice to see her progressing, getting stronger and fitter.”
Two-time winner Matthew is not playing in the Trust Golf Women’sscottishopenatdundonald Links later in the year, but that is partly due to trying to keep her powder dry for an exciting event taking place on her doorstep.
“I’m resting up for Muirfield,” said Matthew, smiling, of the
Eastlothiancoursestagingthe AIG Women’s Open for the first time in early August.
“It’s tough when you’re not playing and practising a huge amount. You’re not that competitive. But I’m getting ready for Muirfield and I’m trying to peakfortheusseniorwomen’s Open.”