Glasgow, Scotland: A two-time participant in the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) and a seven-time winner on the Japan LPGA Tour, Ayaka Furue won her first LPGA title at the 2022 Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open with a course record 62 at Dundonald Links.

At 22 years old, Furue was making her debut in the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open and fought off an experienced chasing pack including European Solheim Cup star Celine Boutier and former world number one Lydia Ko.

Furue said: “I’m very happy. I was four shots back. I thought it would be difficult to catch the top players. But I played good golf and I was able to come out as a winner. I had the right mindset. I thought I had to go low, and I played very well. All around my game was good, and the birdie putts I wanted to make and had to make, I was able to make.

“My best part was I was very straight this week. And I made a lot of putts, short ones, and was able to make a few long ones, also. All week, I putted very well. I’ve been working on putting two balls at once to square up the face to the ball and that helped me.”

Her secret weapon was Scottish caddie Michael Scott who helped her navigate the testing Dundonald Links. “He was very helpful. He gave me a lot of good advice. He helped me out with wind direction and how the wind affects play. I’m very grateful,” said Furue, who tied for 11th at the inaugural WAAP in Singapore in 2018 and was equal seventh the following year when Japan hosted the event.

France’s Boutier, who started off the day in tied first place, added a final round 69 to finish the Scottish Open as solo runner-up.

The 28-year-old said: “I’m a bit disappointed but I feel like my game has been solid all week and I put myself in position. Playing the final round, final group, is not always easy to manage. Hopefully I’m going to gain some experience from this and next time I’ll be lifting the trophy.”

Cheyenne Knight, who holds one title on the LPGA Tour, signed off with a 67 to finish the tournament in tied third place alongside Korean Kim Hyo-joo, the multiple former Queen Sirikit Cup winner.

New Zealand's Ko, who led the tournament after the second and third rounds, finished in tied fifth place. She said: “I wasn’t able to get things going over this weekend. Sometimes when you get in a good rhythm, you're able to keep it going. But I just was never on that train this weekend but hopefully this is a good momentum for next week.”

The winner of the Jock MacVicar award presented to the leading Scot was Gemma Dryburgh, Scotland’s highest ranked player who finished tied 34th.

Nine Thais made the cut at Dundonald Links, including Trust Golf invite Wichannee Meechai. She tied for eighth and had the distinction of finishing as the leading Thai player.

The Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open will return to Dundonald Links again next year for the 20th edition.