Since becoming the youngest player to win the Scottish Girls’ Amateur Championship at the age of just 13 in 2017, Darling has enjoyed a glory-laden progression.
Her success in The R&A’s inaugural Girls’ Under-16 Amateur Championship the following year underlined her talents, and she would go on to become a mainstay of the GB&I Curtis Cup team with three appearances in the biennial transatlantic tussle.
New to Nairn
With two victories on the highly-competitive US college scene, Darling, who is currently 18th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®), is eager for more success over the majestic Nairn links, which is hosting the Championship for the first time since 1979.
“I’ve never actually played at Nairn before but links golf is how I really fell in love with the game,” added Darling. “I may have a little bit of a target on my back this week but that’s all part of the game.
“The times in my career when I have faced pressure, I’ve stood up to it and handled it. That gives me confidence and belief. The true test of golf comes in these high-pressure moments. The best players embrace it and I like to think I’m good at that.
“But, as we all know, anything can happen in match play golf and that’s why it’s such a great format. The underdogs always have a chance and we see that in Ryder Cups, Solheim Cups or Curtis Cups.”
Fresh challenges
Darling’s four-year stint at University in the USA has flown by and she is now looking forward to continuing her golfing education in the cut-and-thrust of the professional scene.
“I went out there as a kid which everyone does, but I’ve really matured and grown as a person over the past few years,” admitted Darling. “I think it’s really prepared me for the next stage of my career.”