Student Series

Student Tour Series set for thrilling Old Course finale

The R&A

01 Apr 25

3 mins

The Old Course at St Andrews will play a massive role in who walks off as winners of The R&A Student Tour Series – Final as Europe’s finest student golfers take on the famous links in the closing round of the last event of the STS 2024/25 season.

That’s one story line to be played out at the home of golf. The bigger story is which male and female golfers end this campaign as Order of Merit winners, and the potential rewards that go with topping the respective tables. Halmstad University’s Elice Fredriksson and University of Maynooth scholar James Walsh lead the respective women’s and men’s events after two rounds on the Jubilee Course. Fredriksson, already an STS winner, is the more comfortable of the two. The first-round leader sits on six-under-par with a three-stroke advantage over Judy Joo of the University of St Andrews. Joo currently tops the Order of Merit table with two victories in her rookie season. However, four-time STS winner and defending champion Lucy Jamieson, also of St Andrews, is only four shots off the pace.

Thrilled to be leading

Walsh is a slender one-stroke front runner on seven-under-par over Stirling’s Ross Laird and Thomas H Peet of Cardiff University. There are another five players within four shots of Walsh’s lead. Fredriksson’s second round card wasn’t as tidy as her first, when she recorded six birdies in a bogey-free 68. The sports science student, winner of STS – Spain last season, made five birdies but cancelled those out with bogeys at the 5^th, 7^thand 15^th holes, while a double bogey at the 3^rd spoiled birdies on the opening two holes. “The wind was stronger today, but I wasn’t as good from the tee,” Fredriksson said. “I started to think too much about my bad shots instead of focussing on the next shots and staying in the present. But I’m thrilled to be leading.” Joo won in Sweden to kick off her STS career, and backed that up by taking the STS – Spain at La Sella Golf Club. It’s given her a 35 point Order of Merit lead over Jamieson, and a 40 advantage on Fredriksson. With 150 points going to the winner this week, Fredriksson or Jamieson can top the table if they win and Joo finishes third or worse.

Elice Fredriksson - Halmstad University

“I started to think too much about my bad shots instead of focussing on the next shots and staying in the present. But I’m thrilled to be leading.”

Fight to the finish

Fredriksson and Jamieson perhaps have the edge in the final round. The Swede won the prestigious St Rule Trophy here last year, while Jamieson tamed the horrendous conditions that plagued last year’s final to earn her fourth STS victory. The top five players on the women’s and men’s order of merit tables will be considered for selection in the international team to play this year’s Arnold Palmer Cup at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Spots in The Women’s Amateur Championship and St Rule Trophy go to the woman who tops the points table. “Playing in the Arnold Palmer Cup has been a goal of mine since I started the Student Tour Series,” Fredriksson said. Walsh forced his way to the top of the leaderboard with an eight-birdie round of 67, five under, to go with an opening 70.

A birthday bonus

“I played a lot smarter than yesterday,” said Walsh, who hit 15 greens. “I just focussed on keeping the ball in play, and as a result I hit a lot of greens. Playing this Series has made me a more well-rounded player. I’m looking forward to playing the Old Course tomorrow, especially since it was my 20th birthday just before I arrived in St Andrews.” Walsh cannot win the Order of Merit, despite an excellent debut season that has saw him post three top-ten finishes. However, Laird can unseat current table topper Judd Sundelson of St Andrews with a victory. Laird, who has returned rounds of 67 and 71, sits fourth on the table, 120 points adrift of Sundelson. The Scot can win the Order of Merit with a victory and Sundelson finishes 14^th or worse. The South African currently lies in joint 13^th after rounds of 72 and 73. Aside from a chance to play in the Arnold Palmer Cup, the men’s order of merit winner gains spots in The Amateur Championship and St Andrews Links Trophy. There’s much to be played for over the Old Course in the final round of the 2024/25 STS season.

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