The 19-year-old Stirling University student explained: "I was really looking forward to my first British – in the past I have had school exams – and especially as it is being held at a great venue I have never had the chance to play. However, I fly out later this week to the Czech Republic as a part of the GB team so, if I had qualified for the matchplay at Carnoustie and continued to make progress, the two would clash."

Ladies Golf Union regulations have been tightened up since Musselburgh's Vikki Laing qualified for the matchplay but withdrew after the strokeplay because of her sister's wedding.

Also out of the Carnoustie field is last year's Scottish champion and Great Britain and Ireland Vagliano Trophy team member Louise Kenney, of Pitreavie, who has work commitments as a relief teacher.

Alyth's Jacqueline Sneddon was called into the field from the waiting list but Jessica Meek, a member of the local Carnoustie Ladies club and winner of the Northern Ladies Open over the same course a couple of weeks ago with a marvellous scratch 73, is still on the waiting list because her handicap is not low enough for an automatic place.

The highest world-ranked player in the field is the Woburn 16-year-old Charley Hull, No.5, one of the seven remaining GB & I Curtis Cup-winning team members.

Another Woburn Club player, Lauren Taylor, is the defending champion, having been the youngest winner at Royal Portrush last year of this championship which was first played in 1893. She played Carnoustie in the Ricoh Women's British Open last year.

The 144 competitors will be tackling a longer course than the professionals faced in last year's British Open. They are playing a layout that measures 6563 yards, compared with the 6490 over which Tseng Yani won the women's pro major, but the par remains the same at 72.