CORNISH golfer Emily Toy made her debut at the Women’s British Open last week – the most prestigious golfing tournament in British women’s golf and one of five majors on the women’s elite tour.

Twenty-one-year-old Toy shot six-over-par in her two rounds at the Marquess’ Course at Woburn Golf & Country Club, ultimately missing the cut, but the golfer from Longdowns still enjoyed her experience.

Speaking at the R&A Women's Home Internationals event in Scotland, – which Toy's England team won all three group matches against Ireland, Scotland and Wales to win the title – she said: "It was such a good experience to go out and play with the best people in the world.

"It was nice to be on a home ground as well, which was cool, so a lot of family and friends came up to watch from Carlyon Bay which was nice.

"I wish obviously that I could have made the cut and scored a little bit better, but I gained a lot more out of it than just golf, but learning and the experience of the whole thing was so good."

Toy earned a surprise chance to enjoy a practice session with defending British Open champion Georgia Hall and American major winner Paula Creamer.

"I didn't even know when I rocked up that I would have a nine-hole bash with Georgia, which was good," Toy said. "She was helping me and another amateur together which was really nice."

Toy qualified for the major after winning the Women’s British Amateur title at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland in June – the highest honour in the European amateur game.

That title also allowed Toy to make her major championship bow two weeks ago at the Evian Championship in France. The youngster shot 15-over-par over the first two rounds to miss the cut again, but she was still happy to have such a big opportunity thanks to her amateur success.

She said: "For sure, not just the professional ones that I've gained, like the Evian and the British Open, but I've been getting a lot more opportunities like playing in the European Teams for England and I'm at the Home Internationals this week, so it's been great.

"I've had a really busy summer, I kind of haven't really stopped for the last three or four months probably, but it's been really good and the opportunities that I've been getting in the amateurs and in the majors are all going to benefit me along the line," she said.