Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) followed in some famous footsteps when she staged a successful defence of the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews. 

The last player to win the prestigious title twice in a row was North Berwick’s  Catriona Matthew (1993 and 1994), who has gone on to become Scotland’s most successful ever professional. 

Kylie, who topped last year’s Scottish Ladies’ Golf Association Order of Merit, opened with a round of one over par 76 over the New Course and then produced two superb rounds of five under par 71 over the Old Course.

With a nine under par 218 total, the 22-year-old Scottish international won by two shots from the 16-year-old Curtis Cup player, Carly Booth. The Comrie teenager shot rounds of 79, 70 and 71.

Third place went to another of Scotland’s talented youngsters, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar). Winner of last year’s Scottish Junior Order of Merit, the Stirling University student shot 80, 72 and 74 for a one under par aggregate.