Chloe Tarbard claimed a one-shot victory at the Scottish Girls' Open Championship at Powfoot

Royal Norwich’s Chloe Tarbard pipped fellow Norfolk golfer Nellie Ong by a single shot to win the Scottish Girls’ Championship at Powfoot Golf Club, Dumfriesshire on Friday.

 Chloe went into the final day of the three-day event six shots back of the leader, but shot three birdies in brutal weather conditions to post a score of 74 (+1), finishing on +4 overall. And she admitted her 2023 success in the English Girls’ U16 Championship inspired her victory.

 She revealed: “In the morning my dad text me and reminded me that I came from seven shots behind to win the English U16 Championship, and that I could definitely still win this competition. That was in my head for the whole round.

 “I holed a 40-footer for birdie on the 1st which really got the round going and then I just tried to make steady pars and hit fairways and greens. I was looking at the scores on the 15th hole and I knew I was up there, so I just wanted to par the last three to have a chance.

 “It was really nice when I was on the 16th as my fellow English girls all came out to watch and knowing that they were all cheering me on and supporting was really nice. It’s the biggest win I’ve had and it’s given me a lot of confidence and hopefully I can play like that more moving forward.”

 Nellie finished in tied-2nd, one shot back, and Chloe explained how the duo have always been up against each other on the course, having risen through the ranks growing up.

 She continued: “We’ve known each other since we were about 10 and we’ve come through the County, Regional and National Squads together. We play together at Royal Norwich so it was weird that two local Norfolk friends were both going for the title in Scotland. We always really want to beat each other and have done since we were younger!

 “I knew she birdied the 17th as I heard some clapping and I wasn’t sure if she’d parred the last. When I was over the last putt, I didn’t know whether it was for a win or play-off but I just tried my hardest to hole it. I was nervous and a bit shaky but managed to hole it.”

 It’s been a fortnight of celebrations for England’s women and girls, following Lottie Woad’s incredible win at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. But the Scottish Girls’ Championship also saw Sadie Adams, sisters Zara and Charlotte Naughton, Emily Dixon, Matilde Santilli, Amy Burton, Isabella Taylor-Stokes, Charlotte Woodham and Rebecca Wildey finish in the top 20 in Dumfriesshire.

 England Golf Women’s Performance Manager Becca Hembrough added: “It’s been a sensational couple of weeks for our women and girls with Lottie and Chloe picking up well-deserved wins, and with 11 players finishing in the top 20 in Scotland, it’s a testament to the effort and commitment shown by the players, coaches and volunteers working hard behind the scenes to support these players to try and reach their potential.

 “There’s a lot of golf to be played this year, and we’re confident we’ll see more of our amazing girls and women excelling regionally, nationally and internationally, so it’s very exciting for all involved.”

Full results here