Senior moment

Golf Correspondent

Sunday 6 May 2012

Ever since she became Britain's youngest club champion as an 11-year-old, great expectations have followed Carly Booth around the golf course like an overzealous rules official.

Carly Booth eyes up a putt on her way to victory Photograph: PA

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Nick Rodger

Yesterday, at a sun-drenched Archerfield Links in East Lothian, the Perthshire teenager lived up to the hype to lift her maiden title on the women's European circuit: the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open.

A year ago at this event, supporters of the domestic game were toasting the 10-shot triumph of Scotland's vastly experienced flag bearer Catriona Matthew. Last night, they were given a glimpse of the future as the next generation took centre stage.

Booth, the 19-year-old from Comrie who had shared the lead heading into the closing round, captured the €32,706 first prize with a one-under 71 for a four-under aggregate of 212, one stroke clear of her former Curtis Cup team-mate Florentyna Parker and the fast-finishing Australian Frances Bondad. Booth landed her first pro win on the tour's developmental Access Series in France in mid-April but this was far, far more valuable. And not just in financial terms. In just a few weeks, her career has taken a huge leap."I think I got €3000 for that first win," said Booth, who began this season without full playing rights but now has a three-year tour exemption. "Happy is the only word I can use. I'm still only 19 and I've won on the tour."It was tense stuff at the top and the decisive moment arrived on the 16th. Booth pushed her drive into the dunes on the right but managed to dig out an approach some 30 yards short of the green before making a fine up-and-down for a crucial par. Parker, meanwhile, let the initiative slip as she three-putted to hand Booth a one-shot advantage. The contest had become almost like a matchplay joust and, when Parker trundled in a 12-footer for par on the short 17th, Booth knocked in a vital four-footer of her own to maintain the gap.It was a nerveless display from Booth, but there would be one jittery moment. With Parker failing to get the birdie she needed on the last, the Scot, with two putts to win it, put her first effort two feet past the cup and watched as her second just dribbled into the hole. The smile of relief on Booth's face as she raised her arm in triumph said it all. "I think my heart stopped for a second when I thought it was going to come up short," she added. "It was the longest two-putt of my life. I'd felt fine until that putt because I knew that was for the win."While Booth and Parker were trading early blows in the final group, it was the 46-year-old Trish Johnson, five shots off the pace with a round to play, who barged her way into the reckoning.The Bristol-born veteran, an 18-time winner on the Ladies European Tour, was hurtling along at seven-under through 11 holes and perched on top of the standings, but the wheels began to shoogle on the home straight and flew off completely by the time she reached the 18th. After bogeys at 14 and 16, the former Solheim Cup player duffed her pitch from barely 30 yards short of the green on the last into the bunker and took two to dig herself out on her way to a 68 and a share of fourth on 214."The last few holes were just beginner's stuff," she lamented. "And that 18th was just pathetic. It was a disheartening way to finish having got myself in."Glasgow's Kylie Walker, another of Scotland's emerging talents, signed off with a three-under 69 and shared 10th on 217, while defending champion Matthew tied for 20th on 219 after a 73.

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