Castlewarden’s Lauren Walsh looks set to take another giant leap up the World Amateur Golf Rankings after she romped to her second US win in the space of five weeks in Florida.

The Kill native (20), now playing on a scholarship at Wake Forest University, closed with a one-under 71 to win the Sunshine State Amateur by six strokes at Las Colinas Golf Course at Mission Inn Golf & Resort.

“Absolutely delighted with another win,” she reported. “Nice way to round off the unique semester!“

Tied for the lead with England’s Euphemie Rhodes on level par after rounds of 75 and 69, the Kildare star birdied the first, then bogeyed the second before adding another birdie at the 14th to win on one-under 215 from American Alyssa Lamoureux, who finished on five-over 221 after rounds of 74, 74 and 73.

“I played really nicely today, the pins were a lot more difficult I found, so I had to play smart all day,” she added. “ I hit my irons really well yesterday and today and gave myself plenty of good chances. My short game was good today in tougher conditions which helped minimize the bogeys. Roll on the spring season!”

Scores

Ranked 44th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking following a stellar start to her collegiate career, Kildare native Walsh claimed her first win on US soil when she claimed last month’s Griffin Women's Amateur by five strokes at Grandover Resort in North Carolina.

She is a member of the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup squad and hotly tipped to make her Curtis Cup debut in the rearranged matches at Conwy in Wales from 26-28 August 2021.