University of Stirling golfer McClymont secures Ladies European Tour spot

University of Stirling golfer Lorna McClymont – who graduated from the golf scholarship programme last month – will play professionally next season after qualifying for the Ladies European Tour (LET).

After a blistering performance in qualifying over the past 10 days, the 24-year-old has been rewarded with a tour card that will pit her against the best in the world in 2025. The card gives McClymont the opportunity to play in around 15 professional events across the year.

It is a phenomenal achievement for McClymont – who spent four years training and studying at Stirling, Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. On graduating with a BA Sports Studies degree last month, she spoke about how her time on the high-performance golf programme at Stirling had provided her with the perfect grounding to take her career to the next level and turn professional.

She joins an esteemed list of former University of Stirling golfers to have joined the professional ranks, including Catriona Matthew, Richie Ramsay, Jack McDonald and Graeme Robertson.

Speaking from the Lalla Aicha Qualifying School (Q-School) in Morocco, where she has played eight rounds of golf in just 10 days, McClymont reflected on her success.

McClymont, from Dumbarton, said: “I am feeling pretty good – it has been a long week, and I’ve not really processed it all; but it’s exciting. It means a lot to qualify – it will present a lot of opportunities, and it gives me a good start in the professional game.

“I didn’t play my best golf this week at all – I had a lot of opportunities that I didn’t take, and that put me back a bit. But I played much better today and scored well.”

Reflecting on the high-performance programme and the support received from the University’s Head of Golf, Dean Robertson, who was her caddy in Marrakech, she continued: “I definitely couldn’t have done it without Dean; the way he spoke to me on the course – keeping me positive, in the moment, and focused on one shot at a time – was important. I am also really grateful for all of the support I’ve received from the University over the past four years, it has made a huge difference.

“I am now really excited for the season ahead and looking forward to getting better and gaining more experience.”

Dean Robertson, the University's Head of Golf, said: “Q-School is a difficult environment for golfers – having pre-qualifying last week and then final qualifying this week; it is a marathon. It also comes so close to Christmas, when the season is dormant back home – so staying sharp and bringing your best game is challenging.

“Lorna is a proven winner who continues to improve her skills. The exciting thing for us is that, over the last few weeks, she hasn’t been anywhere near her best – but almost finished in the top 20, and still comes away with a Category 16 qualification.

“Lorna now has a platform to build on next year and I’m confident that she’s going to do really well. I am delighted for her.”

During her time at Stirling, and under the expert tutelage of Robertson, McClymont’s profile has skyrocketed. She is regarded as one of the best British amateur players in the game, with Scottish, Irish, and Welsh amateur titles to her name, and earlier this year played a key part in helping Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) lift the prestigious Curtis Cup. She also turned heads with a brilliant performance at the 121st Women’s Amateur Championship – where she marginally lost to American Melanie Green in the final of the historic competition, regarded as the pinnacle of the women’s amateur game.

Dean Robertson, the University of Stirling's Head of Golf

Q-School

Shortly after graduating, McClymont jetted off to Marrakech to compete at Q-School in a bid to qualify for next year’s LET tour.

She first had to negotiate a three-round pre-qualifier on the par-72 Samanah Golf Club by Nicklaus between December 10 and 12. Recording rounds of 70, 73 and 70, she finished three under par overall and qualified fourth out of the 61 golfers competing at Samanah – one of four courses used for pre-qualifying.

McClymont was one of 16 amateurs to make it to final qualifying, which saw 154 golfers – mainly existing professionals – compete across five rounds of golf between December 16 and 20. The competition took place on two courses, the Royal Golf Marrakech (RGM) and Al Maaden Golf Marrakech (AMG).

The Top 20 finishers receive a Category 12 tour card for the LET 2025 – permitting entry to around 20 events across the year; those in positions 21 to 50 receive a Category 16 card (~15 events) and the rest of the field on the final day receive a Category 19 card (~8 events).

McClymont scored 74 and 70 on the par-72 RGM on days one and three, and 72 on days two and four on the par-73 AMG. With an overall score of two under par, and having made the cut after round four, McClymont went into the final day in 51st position, knowing that she had it all to play for. And she saved her best till last – delivering a highly impressive final round on the AMG course, comprising seven birdies and scoring 68 for the day, five under par. It meant she completed the competition seven under par – and in 33rd position; meaning she receives a Category 16 card. She was the fourth best placed amateur in the competition, and finished just three shots off the top 20.

David Bond, Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, said: “We have always known that Lorna had a special talent, and, under Dean Robertson’s tutelage and guidance, she has shone during her time at Stirling – winning some of the biggest competitions in amateur golf.

“Lorna was destined to compete at the top of the game – and I am absolutely delighted that she will now play on next year’s professional tour. She has grabbed this opportunity with both hands – and her phenomenal final round at Q-School shows that she is more than ready to battle it out with the best in the world.

“Lorna is an inspiration to others on our high-performance golf programme, and to young golfers across Scotland and the UK. We look forward to continuing to work with and support Lorna as she takes this exciting next step in her career. Everyone at Stirling wishes her all the very best.”

He added: “Lorna is the latest in a long line of players from the University of Stirling who have earned playing rights amongst the professional ranks, underscoring the golf programme’s status as one of the best collegiate programmes in the world.”

David Bond, Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling

For more information on high-performance sport at the University of Stirling, visit the website.