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.