England’s Sophie Lamb was the only player to beat par as she won the British women’s stroke play championship.

It’s a first women’s title for the 18-year-old international from Clitheroe, who posted a score of one under for 72 holes at Knock, in Belfast.

Lamb had her dad, Phil, on the bag as her caddie and said: “I couldn’t have done it without him.”

The teenager moved through the field after an opening four-over 77, which left her six shots off the pace.

She came back with 68 – six birdies and just one bogey – to put herself firmly in contention.

Lamb played solid golf in the third round, returning a one-under 72, but remained two shots behind the leader, 14-year-old Alessia Nobilio, of Italy.

Nobilio fell away in the final round while Lamb kept up her steady progress to the title.

She resisted the challenge of Chloe Williams, who finished two shots back, to close with a 74.

“I had nine straight pars to start, then a bogey and a double, but I had some birdies coming in,” said Lamb.

“I was focussed on playing my own game and trying to give myself chances.”

She has been challenging for a big win all season.

She was leading qualifier in the English match play, tied 4th in the English amateur and 6th in the English stroke play.

Lamb also helped England win the Women’s Home Internationals last month.

Steve Carroll

A journalist for 23 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former captain and committee member, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the national Tournament Administrators and Referee's Seminar. He has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying and the PGA Fourball Championship. A member of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. Steve is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 3-Wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Hybrids: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Irons: TaylorMade Stealth 5-A Wedge Wedges: TaylorMade Hi-Toe 54 and 58 Putter: Sik Sho Ball: TaylorMade TP5

Handicap: 11.3

Subscribe to NCG