Hannah Darling savours 'experience of lifetime' at Augusta National

It was a rare day when the score didn’t really matter to Hannah Darling. She was playing Augusta National, after all, creating history in the process as the first Scottish woman to compete at the Georgia venue.

Yes, of course, the 18-year-old from Broomieknowe was looking for better than her seven-over-par 79 in the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, but the score wasn’t the be all and end all on this occasion.

Darling had Louise Duncan, the Girls’ Amateur and Women’s Amateur champions respectively, had become the first Scots to compete in the event in its third edition.

Duncan didn’t make the 30 to progress after two rounds at Champion Retreat in Augusta, but it was mission accomplished for Darling as she rounded off the week playing in front of 40,000 fans.

“It’s been an experience of a lifetime - 100 per cent - and that’s the only way to describe it,” she told Scotland on Sunday afterwards. “This tournament is fantastic. It was great getting to play Champions Retreat, which is better than the courses we play most of the time, then to come here is just incredible and I thank everyone who gave me the opportunity.”

Five shots off the lead after opening rounds of 73-76, there was a distinct chill in the air as the starter, announcing the third group out, said: “Fore please, Hannah Darling driving.”

Watched by a crowd that included R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers and USGA CEO Mike Whan, Darling hit the perfect drive then found the heart of the green with an equally solid approach that was greeted by “great shot” from an American voice.

But, after leaving her first attempt six feet short, she three-putted and that, unfortunately, set the tone for the rest of her round. In contrast, her playing partner,