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Student Series
McClymont and Griffin secure student titles at the Old Course
05 Apr 23
3 mins
Fifty nine scholars left St Andrews with special memories as the 2022/23 R&A Student Tour Series came to a conclusion. A fortunate three gained experiences to last a lifetime.
Men's Results Women's ResultsA definite buzz
There was a definite buzz for this season’s final tournament. No surprise, considering The R&A was crowning champions over the Old Course, the home of golf providing the perfect backdrop for the final round of the final tournament. Many had never played the Old Course, and they savoured every moment walking in the footsteps of the legends of the game. The University of Stirling's Lorna McClymont won the final event, her third in the five-tournament schedule, to earn her second straight order of merit title. Teammate Will Coxon was crowned the men’s champion, while Ryan Griffin became the third consecutive Maynooth University player to win the order of merit.Really cool
“It feels really cool, it’s a nice feeling to be a St Andrews winner,” said McClymont, who won by three shots over St Andrews student Megan Ashley and Elice Fredriksson of Halmstad University with a three-under-par 220 thanks to a wo-under-par 73 around the Old Course. “I’m proud to have won both my order of merit titles, but to do it by winning the final tournament this year at the home of golf is maybe a wee bit more satisfying.” McClymont won the first two events on the schedule, including the Stirling International with a course record 60 at Montrose. She followed up with victory at Le Golf National in France. She was fifth in Portugal when she stumbled to a closing 85 after holding the 36-hole lead. She began the Spain tournament with a 77 and never caught up, eventually finishing third.
Lorna McClymont - University of Stirling
“It feels really cool, it’s a nice feeling to be a St Andrews winner. I’m proud to have won both my order of merit titles, but to do it by winning the final tournament this year at the Home of Golf is maybe a wee bit more satisfying.”
Peaks and troughs
“Winning (the order of merit title) this year was a wee bit more difficult because of the last two tournaments, but I still managed to come back and be there. We go all peaks and troughs. It feels good that I managed to work through it.” McClymont receives another spot in the European Palmer Cup team as order of merit winner. She receives an added bonus, a spot in a Ladies' European Access tournament by winning the final. She added, “I’m really excited. It will be a great opportunity to play with the pros and see how my game measures up.”Memories for a lifetime
Griffin placed joint second behind Coxon with St Andrews student Tom Parker and first-round leader Jack Leversidge of Northumbria University. That runner-up spot propelled Griffin to the top of the order of merit by 84 points over Stirling student George Cannon, winner at Montrose. “It’s a brilliant feeling, I’m absolutely delighted,” said Griffin, winner in Spain last month. “To do it here at the home of golf is as good as it gets. I’ll have unbelievable memories for a lifetime." The psychology student will make his Palmer Cup debut this year’s thanks to his order of merit title. “All the legends have played in it, so for me to play in it too will be absolutely unbelievable.” Griffin also receives a spot in this year’s Amateur Championship at Hillside. “I was looking at my WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) position and knew I had to have few good finishes to play again this year (he made the match play stages at Royal Lytham last year) so to return this year is the cherry on top.”
Ryan Griffin - Maynooth University
“It’s a brilliant feeling, I’m absolutely delighted. To do it here at the Home of Golf is as good as it gets. I’ll have unbelievable memories for a lifetime."