Published July 17, 2008 on June 17, 2019

Emily Toy Wins The Women’s Amateur Championship at Royal County Down

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England’s Emily Toy produced the best performance of her career to win The 116^th Women’s Amateur Championship at Royal County Down.

The 21-year-old defeated Amelia Garvey by one hole in the 18-hole Final over the renowned links on the east coast of Northern Ireland.

Toy, who is ranked 450^th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, ended Garvey’s hopes of becoming the first New Zealander since 1986 to claim the trophy. In her morning semi-final against Linn Grant, the Englishwoman also shone to defeat the Swede, ranked 25th in the world, by two holes.

Toy is the first English player to win the title since Georgia Hall in 2013 and has earned a spot in the AIG Women’s British Open at Woburn in August thanks to her triumph. The 2017 R&A Foundation Scholars Tournament champion has also gained exemptions into the 2019 Evian Championship, as well as the US Women’s Open and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship next year.

After both players made birdies on the third hole of the Final, Garvey went ahead at the 5^th after Toy’s bogey. However, Toy hit straight back at the 6^th after a glorious approach set up a birdie.

The pair exchanged bogeys before another dropped shot from Toy handed Garvey the lead at the 11^th. Just when it looked like the University of Southern California student may pull clear, she bogeyed the 14^th to return the contest to all square. Toy, attached to Carlyon Bay Golf Club in Cornwall, let a chance slip at the 16^th when she three-putted but made no mistake with a 20-foot putt for birdie at the 17th.

A par at the last was good enough for victory as Toy joined a roll of honour that also includes Anna Nordqvist (2008) and Céline Boutier (2015).

In the morning’s semi-finals, Toy was two down after only three holes to Grant. She fought back to lead the match after Grant’s concession at the short 10^th, doubled her lead at the 13^th and won on the 18^th thanks to an excellent approach shot.

Garvey was also down early to Daniella Barrett, who was bidding to become the first ever Finnish winner. However, the 19-year-old clawed her way back to lead after six holes and never relinquished her advantage throughout the remainder of the match to triumph 3&1.

The Pam Barton Memorial Salver was awarded to Toy with runner-up Garvey receiving The Diana Fishwick Cup. An international team award was presented after the stroke playing qualifying rounds with Italy taking the honours with an aggregate score of 296.

The 117^th Women’s Amateur Championship will be played at Kilmarnock (Barassie) from 23-27 June 2020.