Stephanie Meadow qualifies for Women’s British Open

Stephanie Meadow’s stunning rise in the world of professional golf will continue at the Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale this weekend after she won her place through final qualifying on Monday.

The 22-year-old Royal Portrush golfer finished third in her first event as a professional on the Ladies European Tour on Sunday, a closing career-best nine-under 63 seeing her rocket up the leaderboard in the final round at the Ladies European Masters at Buckinghamshire Golf Club.

Meadow then headed north to the links at Southport & Ainsdale for today’s qualifier, where 15 spots were on offer for the British Open at nearby Royal Birkdale.

Continuing where she left off, Meadow made par on the par-3 first hole before reeling off four straight birdies. A further gain at the par-5 seventh saw her turn in five-under 33

The first of two dropped shots came at the short 10th, but she recovered the loss on the par-5 11th and added another birdie on the 13th to get to six under before her second bogey of the day came at the 15th.

Meadow made par on each of the last three holes to finish the qualifier in a share of third position with England's Holly Aitchison on five under, with Becky Brewerton of Wales and Thailand's Nontaya Srisawang topping the leaderboard on six under.

The Women’s British Open will be only Meadow’s third event as a professional after she claimed a stunning third place at the US Women’s Open at Pinehurst on her debut a fortnight ago.

Rebecca Codd failed in her bid to claim a place in the Major after carding a four-over 78.