Duncan, Walsh and Fuller make cut at AIG Women's Open

It's a bit of a reach to classify the AIG Women's Open as a tune-up for anything, but after navigating through four rounds at the Carnoustie Golf Links, arguably the toughest golf course in the world, amateurs Louise Duncan, Lauren Walsh and Annabell Fuller should be unfazed and battle-tested when they arrive at Conwy Farms in Wales for next week's Curtis Cup Match.

The trio, who will lead the Great Britain & Ireland against the United States side next week in Wales, made the cut at the AIG Women's Open. In Duncan's case, she is tied for 18th place at 3-under 141 (68-73) and is just four shots behind co-leaders Georgia Hall and Mina Harigae heading into the third round on Saturday.

Duncan, who won the British Women's Amateur in June, shot an eye-opening 4-under 68 on Thursday that left her just one-behind first round leaders Nelly Korda, Sei Young Kim and Madelene Sagstrom when play began on Friday. Making her first professional start in a major, Duncan deftly navigated her way through the teeth of Carnoustie, going birdie-birdie-eagle on holes Nos. 12-14 before playing the grueling finishing stretch in even par.

A closer look at Louise Duncan 👀

The Women's Amateur Champion is still in contention, three behind the leaders at Carnoustie.#AIGWO #WorldClass pic.twitter.com/T1D9DyBmgR

— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 20, 2021

Playing before the home fans, the 21-year-old Scot comfortably made the cut at 3-under par and leads the chase for the prestigious Smyth Salver as top amateur.

“I don't think I could’ve got any more nervous than yesterday," said Duncan, who attends Stirling University. "I wasn’t as nervous today, maybe a wee bit of hand shaking but it was fine. We'll see how the weekend goes as I’ve nothing really to lose now. Just watching players like Georgia (Hall), whatever happens, they don't let it affect them. They just enjoy it and play well, trying to keep flat and steady.”

Walsh, who plays collegiately at Wake Forest and Fuller, who plays at Florida, are one-under-par and level par respectively. After opening with a 74, Walsh posted a 3-under 69 on Friday and is tied for 31st at 1-under 143. At even par following rounds of 71-73, Fuller was one-stroke inside the cutline.