Durrand breaks her own Thurso course record and admits: 'I thought I'd blown it'
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Laura Durrand was "ecstatic" after breaking the ladies' course record at Thurso Golf Club for the second time.
She was already the record holder with a score of 72, which she achieved in 2008. She has equalled that record almost every year since and, almost 15 years to the day, and in the same competition – the June Medal – she finally managed to beat it.
Durrand said: "I have been chasing this record since 2008 and have had it in my sights so many times but just couldn’t hold it together over the closing holes. I was striking the ball well and playing steady golf apart from a lost ball at six.
"I finally managed to hold my nerve up the last two closing holes. I knew I was close, but missing my birdie putt on 18th made me think I had blown it.
"When I counted the score and realised, I was ecstatic. It has given me the golf bug again and a huge boost.
"I can’t wait to get out on the course and chase it again."
Durrand's round started off well, parring the first five holes, but a lost ball at the sixth meant she ended up with a double bogey six. She bounced back from this immediately, birdieing the next hole.
Two more pars followed, making her one over par for the first half of the round.
The second half got off to a great start with a birdie at the 10th, followed by two more at the 13th and 16th.
A rogue tee shot into some thick rough on the 17th nearly ended any hopes of setting a new record but Durrand kept her cool and played a fine recovery shot out of the rough, ensuring she got her par.
She finished with a score of 71, beating the previous record by one shot.
Alice Fidler, Laura’s playing partner, said: "Laura played such a beautiful game and it was an honour to have been her partner."
