Annabel Dimmock put down a big marker for Curtis Cup selection with a dominant gun-to-tape victory in the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Strokeplay Championship at Royal Troon.
The 17-year-old from the Wentworth club in Surrey won with an 11-under aggregate of 213, just managing to hold off the final round challenge of local girl Connie Jaffrey, who managed to slash Dimmock’s six-shot lead to just three with four holes to play but couldn’t get any closer to the English international player.
Troon Ladies’ Jaffrey, also 17, beat her personal best for the Royal Troon course in the final round with a four-under 71 but had to settle for second place, with Ireland’s Olivia Mahaffey just 16 shooting an outstanding 68 in cool, windy conditions to finish in outright third.
However, Dimmock was in charge from her first round 70 on Friday when the watching Great Britain and Ireland captain Tegwen Matthews couldn’t help but be impressed.
“I didn’t have any nerves over the first two days but I certainly felt them today,” said Annabel after her final round 73.
She had one heart-stopping moment with an air-shot in the gorse at the 11th hole, but was cool enough to make the wise choice of a penalty drop and escape with just a bogey when it could have been a lot worse.
“Connie played really well today and when she got to within three shots I had to just stay calm and grind out the final holes,” she said.
It’s Dimmock’s second big win of the season after winning the prestigious Jones-Doherty Cup in the USA, and with one event left before the Curtis Cup team is selected, she has to have a good shout for a captain’s pick.
“I saw the captain watching me on Friday when I played really well, and again in the last few holes today, so I’ll go to the Welsh Strokeplay next week and try to do well again,” added Annabel, who admitted that the exploits of Charley Hull had inspired her and other young amateurs.
“I know Charley quite well and I have the same philosophy as her in playing the game,” she said. “She’s inspired us all and shown us that you can make the jump from amateurs to pro and do really well.”
Meanwhile Jaffrey, the reigning Scottish Girls’ champion, shot a personal best every day on the Portland and Royal Troon courses, running into great form ahead of the Scottish Ladies’ in three weeks at Prestwick.
“I went out with the philosophy that I was going to chase and catch Annabel, but she was just a bit too far ahead,” said Connie, who has just left Marr College.
“But I’m very happy with how I’ve played throughout this week, and I’m looking forward to the Ladies’ and defending the Scottish Girls’ in July.”
St Andrews’ Lauren Whyte, who sat just two shots off the lead after Friday’s first round and was inside the top five going into the final round, shot a three-over 78 to finish in a tie for 10th place.