Crail, Scotland: Former China amateur standout Zhang Weiwei defied wintry conditions to book herself a maiden appearance in the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews.

The 27-year-old snared four birdies and an eagle to post a five-under-par 67 on the Craighead links at Crail Golfing Society in Final Qualifying.

Zhang topped the leaderboard in the 92-strong field from which the leading 12 players booked their places in the year’s final Major which tees-off on Thursday.

“I played great and holed some important putts. It was very windy and so it was hard out there. The pin positions were tough to reach. However, the practice I had helped me and I got to know the course beforehand,” said Zhang, a member of the China team that participated in the Queen Sirikit Cup and World Amateur Team Championships in 2012.

“I’m very excited to be playing at St Andrews. This will be my first time playing in the AIG Women’s Open. I have prepared for this for some time and I can’t wait to play this week,” added Zhang, who turned professional in 2017 and is a five-time winner on the China LPGA Tour.

Among those to miss out on qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open was Kirsten Rudgeley. Another former Queen Sirikit Cup participant who also appeared in the 2022 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP), the Australian could only manage a 74.

Her compatriot Kelsey Bennett, joint runner-up in the 2021 WAAP, had a 75, a score matched by Thai Jaravee Boonchant and Japan’s Babi Saka, the 2022 US Women’s Amateur champion.