The Loop

18-year-old Scottish amateur works as standard bearer

July 16, 2010

ST. ANDREWS, SCOTLAND -- Being inside the ropes at a major championship is something that Sally Watson could get used to. A week ago at Oakmont CC, the 18-year-old Scottish amateur was playing in her first U.S. Women's Open. After missing the cut by a single stroke, she returned home to work as a standard bearer during this week's British Open.

"I live 12 miles from here and thought it would be a great opportunity to watch the guys work their way around the golf course," said Watson, a rising sophomore at Stanford and a member of the Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team in 2008 and 2010. "Plus you get to make a little bit of money."

Indeed, Watson will earn £165 while she carries the scores in at least three rounds. "I play so much golf in the summer I really can't get a job of my own. Plus this pays better than minimum wage."

Watson got the idea from a family friend who worked at the previous British Open at St. Andrews in 2005. Figuring she would wind up the course as a spectator if she wasn't working, she applied for the position and learned she had gotten the job two months ago.

For the first round, Watson toted the board for the second to last pairing of the day, Glen Day, Josh Cunliffe and Tyyrell Hatton. Friday's second round included a higher profile group that included major champions David Duval and Trevor Immelman, along with Englishman Ross McGowan.

"It's good fun," Watson said. "I can learn a lot from the guys, how they carry themselves during the round. I just hope it doesn't rain too much while I'm out there."

After this week, Watson will do her best to get inside the ropes at another major championship; she is scheduled to play in a qualifier for the Women's British Open at the end of the month.

-- Ryan Herrington