Despite "cooling off" with a final round 72, the young Scot Louise Duncan -- who was just two shots back after 54 holes -- netted a top-10 finish at 7-under finishing ahead of top players like Nelly Korda.
54-HOLE UPDATE
Obviously, Scottish amateur Louis Duncan was not satisfied with simply making the cut the AIG Women’s Open being contested at Carnoustie Golf Links.
Entering Saturday’s third round in 18th place at 3-under 141 following rounds of 68 and 73, the British Women’s Amateur champion moved firmly into title contention, rolling in a long birdie putt on the final hole for a third round 68. At 7-under 209, Duncan finds herself in a four-way tie for fourth place, just two strokes behind co-leaders Anna Nordqvist of Sweden and Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen heading into Sunday’s final round.
"It is anyone's game. It is wide open," four-time major champion Dame Laura Davies said on Sky Sports.
"It is very scoreable and I would say those on five under can still win. There will be lots of chances."
"Louise has now got a chance," added Davies. "She can enjoy herself on Sunday.
"The pressure is on the big guns and maybe she can slip under the radar. If she can post 11 under, then the final groups have to tackle the final holes and anything can happen. She doesn't seem to have much pressure on her."
Duncan, a native of West Kilbride who is playing in her first major tournament after winning the Women's Amateur Championship in June to qualify, got off to a fast start on Saturday, making two birdies in the opening four holes. After making a bogey on the eighth, she bounced back with birdies on 11 and 12 to move to 6-under and within one stroke of the leaders. A bogey on the 17th was quickly answered with a birdie on the last, much to the delight of the home fans who braved a fickle Scottish summer's day.What a putt and what a roar! 👏
— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 21, 2021
Louise Duncan delights the home spectators at Carnoustie. Her dream week continues! 🐤#AIGWO #WorldClass pic.twitter.com/B8s9BPgpe5
"My putting has been key for me this week," said Duncan. "My putting has been really solid and just all my game, really. I’ve hit the ball great and drove the ball really nicely. Obviously, I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. Carnoustie has a record for disasters!
"I think it's been great for the three amateurs (Annabell Fuller and Lauren Walsh) that got through to the weekend. I think it's given us a good bit of confidence going down to the Curtis Cup next week.”
Duncan is the latest amateur to content at a major championship. In June, 17-year-old Megha Ganne of Holmdel, NJ played her way into the final grouping on Sunday at the U.S. Open held at the Olympic Club in San Francisco before ultimately finishing tied for 14th.