Kate Lanigan breaks through at St Andrews with St Rule Trophy victory

May 31, 2026 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Kate Lanigan (St. Andrews photo)

The Maynooth University graduate turned a three-shot overnight lead into a four-shot win at the Home of Golf

25-year-old Kate Lanigan continued her impressive season by claiming the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews, posting rounds of 68, 67, and 73 to finish at 18-under 208 and win by four shots.

The Maynooth University student entered the final round with a three-shot lead after opening with back-to-back rounds of 68 and 67 on the New Course. While the historic Old Course presented a tougher challenge on the final day, Lanigan stayed in control throughout and closed with a 73 to secure the biggest victory of her amateur career.

The win adds another achievement to an already impressive amateur résumé. Lanigan was the R&A Student Tour Series Order of Merit winner in 2023 and has steadily built momentum over the past two seasons. Ranked No. 245th in the AmateurGolf.com Women Rankings, the Maynooth native arrived at St Andrews in strong form after finishing runner-up at last month's South of Ireland Women's Amateur Open Championship and eighth at the Scottish Women's Open Championship earlier this spring.

University of South Alabama sophomore Anna Behnsen of Denmark mounted the closest challenge. Starting the final round three shots behind at 12-under 138, Behsen carded a final-round 70 to finish alone in second at 14-under 212.

Former champion Jennifer Saxton, winner of the event in 2022, closed with a 70 to finish tied for 22nd at 5-under 221.

The championship was contested over 54 holes, with competitors playing two rounds on the New Course and a final round on the historic Old Course. The New Course played to a par of 75, while the Old Course played as a par 76 for the final round.

Lanigan now joins a distinguished list of St Rule Trophy champions that includes major winners and Solheim Cup stars such as Annika Sörenstam and Catriona Matthew.

The championship continues to grow in stature. Following a record number of entries in recent years, the St Andrews Links Trust announced that the field will expand from 60 to 72 players beginning in 2026. The event remains a key stop on the elite women's amateur calendar and is part of the AIG Women's Open Amateur Series, offering players a potential pathway into one of the biggest championships in women's golf.

For Lanigan, however, the focus this week was simply on finishing the job. After knocking on the door with several strong results over the past year, she finally broke through with a statement victory on one of golf's most iconic stages.

Results: St. Rule Trophy

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Kate Lanigan	, Ireland	500	68-67-73=208
2	Anna Hjerrild Behnsen	, Denmark	400	72-70-70=212
T3	Freya Russell	, Scotland	300	69-73-72=214
T3	Sheridan Clancy	, Australia	300	70-72-72=214
T5	Charlotte Naughton	, England	300	76-70-69=215

View full results for St. Rule Trophy

About the St. Rule Trophy

Kate Lanigan breaks through at St Andrews with St Rule Trophy victory

The St Rule Trophy attracts players from all over the world who relish the opportunity to play on the New and Old Courses at St Andrews Links. 54 holes open amateur stroke play tournament – for lady golfers with a handicap not exceeding 2.4.