Pre-Qualifying

Five years on from her thrilling debut at the AIG Women’s Open, Louise Duncan was among 18 players to come through Pre-Qualifying for the 2026 championship at Delamere Forest.

Duncan made a huge impact at Carnoustie in 2021 when, as the reigning Women’s Amateur Champion, she sat tied-fourth through 54 holes before finishing in a share of 10th.

Now a professional, the 26-year-old Scot shot a one-under 70 to tie for third in Pre-Qualifying on Monday, ensuring she progresses to Final Qualifying at St Annes Old Links on 27 July.

The Pre-Qualifying leaderboard was topped by Anne-Charlotte Mora of France, who bogeyed two of the first four holes but found six birdies thereafter and avoided any further dropped shots in a four-under 67.

English amateur Lauren Crump took second on two-under, with Duncan a shot further back alongside Vanessa Bouvet, Sofia Garcia, Lauren Hartlage, Ellen Hume and another amateur in Izzy Hurrion.

A third amateur made it through as Ellise Rymer shot a level-par 70 to join Linnea Strom, Lianna Bailey, Hazuki Kimura, Hulda Gestsdottir, Billie-Jo Smith and Paula Reto in qualifying.

Thirteen competitors then faced a play-off for the remaining three places, with Emma Henningsson, Luca Sasha Thompson and Bel Wardle the players to prevail.