Lauren Walsh set for LPGA bow after historic National Championship win

On the 16th tee at Grayhawk Golf Club in the Arizona Desert last month, Lauren Walsh held a pitching wedge in her hand. Going through her usual routine, she knew a tie at the Par 3 would clinch the national championship for Wake Forest.

She landed her tee shot on the green as her team-mates looked on, hoping she could secure the school's first NCAA Women's Golf Championship. Sure enough, Walsh tied the hole with match play opponent Brianna Navarrosa to close out the tournament with a 3-1 win over USC.

As a fruitful college career comes to a close, Walsh will now turn her attention to the ultimate goal as she turns professional this summer.

"As a result of the win last week, I've got an exemption into the LPGA Event, The Dana (Open) in Ohio in July," Walsh said.

"I’ll be excited to turn pro for that and to start the next chapter of my golfing career. It’s been a lot of years building up to this but I’m excited for that next chapter."

The win marks the end of her collegiate career and the beginning of a new one, albeit it wasn’t easily earned.

Walsh found the championship run exhausting. The week in the desert heat included eight rounds of golf and extra measures were taken by coaching staff to ensure the Demon Deacons were ready for their final on Wednesday.

The setting for this victory was a far cry from Walsh’s home track of Castlewarden Golf Club in Kildare.

"Obviously after playing 36 holes for the quarters- and semi-finals, that's a lot on your body in 38 degree heat all day. Our team put together some ice baths for us behind the pool in the hotel so we could get prepared and get ready for the final."

The team flew to Arizona a day earlier this year, giving them some extra time to acclimatise. They played a nearby course to