McClymont retains Irish Women’s title but future looks bright with Coulter and Costello

Top girl: Roscommon’s Olivia Costello (15) won the Flogas Irish Girls' Amateur Open title on nine-under at Woodbrook

Brian Keogh

Scottish golfer Lorna McClymont brilliantly retained the Flogas Irish Women’s Amateur Open Championship at Woodbrook golf club but Ireland’s Beth Coulter and Olivia Costello showed that the future is bright for Irish women’s golf.

McClymont shot consecutive course records of 68 and 67 before closing with a 71 to win by three shots from Kirkistown Castle star Coulter on 16-under par and retain the title she won in Baltray last year.

It’s now five wins in six appearances for the 22-year-old Milngavie phenomenon who may well turn professional after she finishes her studies at University of Stirling.

Coulter looks like a star in the making after rounds of 68, 70 and 71 and so too does Roscommon teenager Costello (15) who won the Flogas Irish Girls’ Amateur Open with rounds of 72, 69 and 72 to finish third behind McClymont on nine-under.

“I played okay, I probably didn’t play as well as what I have the last couple of days. I did scramble around the course. I didn’t really play the best but I am happy enough with the way I played,” said Costello.

“I am happy, there is definitely a lot to learn from it that I can bring into the rest of the season.”

Hermitage’s Kate Lanigan finished fifth on six-under.