Winner Williams hails Dad as she claims Glenmuir Women's PGA title

Rising star Lucy Williams cruised to her maiden Glenmuir Women’s PGA Professional Championship and dedicated her triumph to her dad – former European Tour professional David Williams.

The Mid-Herts Golf Club professional (pictured with Glenmuir managing director Colin Mee), who celebrates her birthday 24th birthday later this month, wrapped up a comfortable 11-shot victory over the Hunting Course at De Vere Slaley Hall after a second successive round of one-under-par 74 to finish two-under.

Kington’s Sarah Walton, the current PGA Assistant of the Year, claimed second spot with a second round two-over 77 to finish nine-over. Three-time winner Tracy Loveys of Bigbury was third on 10-over.

Williams, whose victory earned her £1,000, is aiming to use the win as a springboard for success on the Ladies European Tour Access Series.

News of her win was relayed to her father who normally caddies for her, however, he is at the US Open as he is a Tournament Director at the European Tour.

Williams, who is a graduate of the Applied Golf Management Studies degree run by the PGA and the University of Birmingham, said: “My dad is really pleased. It’s nice to get a win as it’s been a while. I owe a lot to my dad. He coaches me and is my mentor.

“I definitely think this win will give me some confidence going into my next event, the Women’s British Open qualifying. Hopefully I can play well there. I’ve no other tournaments for a month or so, so I’ll just work on my game.”

Reflecting on her round, which had two birdies and just one dropped shot at the last, she said: “I am really happy that I started playing steadily again. I just played nicely and didn’t make any unforced errors and putted really nicely.

“I wasn’t thinking about the lead I was just trying to shoot a good score under par. I was trying to use this tournament as good practice for the Access Series as I’ve been struggling with my scoring.”

Triple champion Loveys, who played the final round with Williams, hailed her an asset to the WPGA and said that she has the potential to go on and have a successful playing career.

“Lucy was very, very impressive and steady,” she said.

“She has a short game to die for. She doesn’t hit it long, which is why she probably has such a good short game. I was suitably impressed.

“I would just tell her to keep doing what she’s doing. What she’s done here the past two days is just bang on the money.

“I heard she was on the Access Tour, so she’ll probably go on to q-school later in the year and then get full playing rights and go from there.

“I hope we see Lucy back here in this championship as she is an asset to the WPGA.”