Golf is open to all
Student Series
Student Tour Series history for University of St Andrews pair at the Old Course
02 Apr 25
3 mins
There were four winners when the sun set on the 2024/25 R&A Student Tour Series (STS) over the Old Course at St Andrews.
Halmstad University student Elice Fredriksson and Lucas Martin of UCLAN were crowned winners of the Final, while University of St Andrews scholars Judy Joo and Judd Sundelson achieved an historic double by being crowned Order of Merit winners. It is the first time University of St Andrews students have topped either the men’s or women’s table.A worthy winner
Fredriksson ran away with the tournament by six shots over Joo thanks to a closing three-under-par 71 to finish on a total ten-under-par 213. However, Joo’s second place finish ensured she finished atop the points race, taking the Order of Merit by ten points over Fredriksson. Fellow St Andrews student Lucy Jamieson place third on the points table, the same position she finished in the sun-kissed Final. Joo is a worthy winner of the season long race. Making her STS debut this season, the Korean kicked off the campaign by winning in Sweden, before adding the STS – Spain to force her way to the top of the table heading into the final event. “I’m really happy to have won the Order of Merit,” Joo said. “It was my goal at the start of the season. I know I was a rookie this season but I thought why not set my sights high? So, it’s really satisfying to have pulled it off. I’ve loved every minute of my first year on the Student Tour Series.”
Judy Joo - University of St Andrews
"I know I was a rookie this season but I thought why not set my sights high? So, it’s really satisfying to have pulled it off. I’ve loved every minute of my first year on the Student Tour Series.”
Nail biting finish
Sundelson’s coronation as season-long winner proved to be a nervous wait. All he had to do was finish inside the top-13 at St Andrews to win the Order of Merit. However, he finished joint 18th and topped the table with 359 points, just one more than the University of Stirling’s Ross Laird. The Scot placed joint second at St Andrews with teammate Will Coxon and Joel Eliasson of Halmstad University. Laird would have finished as season-long champion if he had placed second on his own. “I really thought I’d blown it,” said South African Sundelson, who finished third, fourth, fifth and lost in a play-off in his four previous events. “I wanted to win the Order of Merit so badly and the nerves just got to me, especially on the front nine. So I’m just glad to have finished number one, especially considering the talent on this tour.”Added bonuses
Sundelson and Joo’s names will go forward for consideration for places in the International team to play this year’s Arnold Palmer Cup at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina. The top five players on both Order of Merits are eligible for selection. Joo earns spots in The Women’s Amateur Championship and St Rule Trophy, while Sundelson earns berths in The Amateur Championship and St Andrews Links Trophy.
Judd Sundelson - University of St Andrews
"I wanted to win the Order of Merit so badly and the nerves just got to me, especially on the front nine. So, I’m just glad to have finished number one, especially considering the talent on this tour.”
Bowing out on a high
Martin was making his final appearance in the Student Tour Series. He arrived for his final event with six top-tens, including a best of tied-fifth in Spain in the last two seasons. He was intent on finishing with a flourish. He did that with a five-under-par 67 to finish on eight-under 208 and win by two strokes. “It feels great to have won in my last Student Tour Series tournament,” Martin said. “This Series has done so much for my golf and I feel I’ve been close before, so to finally win is very satisfying. And to do it over the Old Course is extra special. Not many people can say they’ve won at St Andrews, so I’ll treasure this for the rest of my life.”At home in the Home of Golf
Fredriksson was always a favourite to take the women’s title for two reasons: she took a three-stroke lead into the final round, and she won the prestigious St Rule Trophy last summer. It’s her second STS win following the STS – Spain victory last season. “I feel at home on the Old Course for some reason,” Fredriksson admitted. “I was very confident today even though I was playing with excellent players like Judy and Lucy. But I just stayed patient, and it paid off. It’s great to win another tournament at St Andrews.”Emotional send off
There were hugs all round for Jamieson when she stepped off the 18th green in the sunshine after playing in her final STS event. Teammates, players from other universities and fellow St Andrews students not competing cheered loudly as she holed her final putt. The English player, who graduates with master’s degree in chemistry soon, has been a fantastic ambassador for the Student Tour Series, and a popular player on and off the course. She stands second on the all-time winners' list with four STS victories, three behind Lorna McClymont. Suffice it to say, it was a brilliant STS Final for the University of St Andrews.
Lucas Martin of UCLAN and Halmstad University student Elice Fredriksson were crowned winners of the Final in St Andrews.