Golf: Young shows her maturity

North BERWICK'S Clara Young, who will be 15 next month, is one of the youngest players in the 144-strong field, but she showed an ability to rise to the occasion with a fine opening round of one over par 74 in the 36-hole strokeplay qualifying at the British Girls' Championship over Gullane No.1.

By The Newsroom

Published 8th Aug 2011, 17:02 BST

Updated 9th Aug 2011, 12:57 BST

The youngest recorded East Lothian county champion, who was making her debut in this competition, had birdies at the fourth, seventh and the short 16th - where she holed a 25-foot putt from just off the green - to stand in the top 20 on a day when another of the young British crop, England's Bronte Law, 16, shared the lead on 69.

Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) was the leading Scot with a 72, Carnoustie's Jessica Meek had a 73 and Young was in a group along with another of the Scottish girls' caps, Gemma Dryburgh.

But it wasn't quite such a good day for the other Lothians players and they will need to improve to make the top 64 for tomorrow's matchplay knock-out. Lesley Atkins (Gullane) and Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) both shot 79 and Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) posted an 80.