Dundonald delight for Hannah Darling as Korean storms clear in Women's Scottish Open

Darling, who has had a tough first full season in the paid ranks after making her professional debut in this event 12 months ago, bogeyed five holes in a row on her back nine in the second round at the Ayrshire venue to leave herself in a perilous position on the ninth tee - her final hole of the day.

She hit the flag with her approach from 116 yards at the par 4 and watched it end up around 80 feet from the hole but, producing one of the most memorable shots of her career at just the right moment, the 23-year-old rolled in the putt for a birdie.

“Wow, what a day,” she declared after signing for a 74 and a five-over-par total, making it through to the weekend in the $2 million event with two strokes to spare at the end of two testing days on the Ayrshire coast. “I did play well. It was a real mental test though.

“Those last couple of holes, I’m just thinking of where the cut is which is understandable given the season I’ve had. I’m really really proud. I had a five-footer on my 17th just to save a bogey, which was huge really. Proud of that putt, too, as it’s not the kind of putt you want at this stage.

“I’ve experienced this feeling a lot this season, coming down the last on the cut and it’s not a nice place to be. I knew I was on the number and just focused on making a couple of good swings down the last to give myself a chance.”

She couldn’t believe that her second shot ricocheted so far away, so was delighted to make the putt. “I think that’s the golf gods just saying sorry for the shot before hitting the flag,” she added, smiling. “I’m over the moon and you could see my emotion after that. Making the cut in your home Open is huge for me.

“I was nervous on my pro debut in this event last year, but in round one yesterday I was so, so nervous. It means a lot to make the cut, especially the way the season has gone.”

Darling has made just two cuts on the Ladies European Tour, but, on this evidence, the two-time Scottish Girls’ champion can head into the remainder of the campaign with renewed confidence.

“I was three-under at one point today and going along nicely but just one or two bounces here and there, and a few putts that don’t drop and it all changes,” she said.

“The three-putt (at the fourth, her 13th) came out of nowhere and the four-putt (at the fifth, her 14th) certainly came out of nowhere. I had an eagle putt there and ended up with a bogey. It’s hard to describe the emotions in these moments.

“I wasn’t quite crying, but there were certainly a lot of emotions. I had my parents, coach, lady members from Broomieknowe here. I could hear them cheering. It’s a big hurdle to get over. I don’t want to be here just to make up the numbers, especially as it was an invitation.

“You want to say ‘I deserve my place here’ and I think I have justified that spot. It’s been playing tough, some of the best in the world have been struggling, so that gives me a boost that I have handled it pretty well.”

Shin, a 33-year-old who landed her sole LPGA win just over a decade ago, backed up her opening 66 with a 67 to lead by five shots at the halfway stage from German Esther Henseleit. Defending champion Lottie Woad sits on level par, four shots ahead of world No 1 Nelly Korda.