Veteran golfer Ryann O’Toole snags first LPGA title at Scottish Open

34-year-old American Ryann O’Toole captured a breakthrough win at the Scottish Open by playing the round of her life, finishing 17 under on Sunday.

The best come to those who wait, and Ryann O’Toole tapped into that feeling on Sunday, turning in a sparkling bogey-free performance on the final day at Dumbarnie Links, and collecting her first title on the LPGA Tour at age 34. With tears in her eyes, she tapped in to close out a spectacular 8-under day, celebrating the Scottish Open victory with her fiancée, Gina Marra, and champagne.

A 10-year veteran on the LPGA Tour, O’Toole managed to steal her nerve and hold back Bronze medalist, Lydia Ko, and Atthaya Thitikul, who were hot on her heals all day, both of whom tied for second with 14-under 271.

"“I still feel like I’m in shock and the tears are going to come later when things die down,” O’Toole said after closing out with a par on the last hole, according to the Associated Press. “I’m excited and happy. The hours and grind and heartache this sport brings, the constant travel, for this moment, I hope it only happens again and again.”"

LPGA Tour: Ryann O’Toole leaves her mark

Ryann O’Toole went into the final day tied for the lead alongside Ariya Jutanugarn and Charley Hull, but surged forward knocking out three birdies in the first four holes to establish a tie-in lead with Thitikul on the front nine.

From that vantage point, she never looked back, seizing the biggest opportunity of her career, and growing in confidence as she established the sole lead on the back nine. O’Toole turned out eight birdies for the day in a spellbinding performance.

The win at the Scottish Open caps off am exhilarating year for O’Toole.

“I’m getting married in December, and OK, my clock’s ticking. I want to have kids. Like, how much longer am I going to be out here? I thought maybe this year would be my last year,” O’Toole said. “I’ve never wanted to be a mom on tour as far as having a kid and doing all that. It doesn’t sound fun to me. But at the same time, I don’t know if I could stop playing golf now.”

With the way Ryann O’Toole played all four days, let’s hope the retirement talk is shelved for some time.