Student Series

Trio shoot six-under in 2025 Student Tour Series Final opening round

The R&A

31 Mar 25

3 mins

It’s not often multiple six-under-par scores light up The R&A Student Tour Series (STS), but three of Europe’s best student golfers achieved that feat in the opening round of the 2024/25 Final at St Andrews.

Halmstad University student Elice Fredriksson, Eoin Sullivan of Trinity College Dublin and Cardiff University scholar Thomas H Peet took advantage of perfect conditions around the Jubilee Course to post six-under totals. Fredriksson returned a bogey-free 68 and heads the women’s final by three shots over the St Andrews trio of Lucy Jamieson, Ellie Monk and Order of Merit leader Judy Joo. Sullivan and Peet fashioned 66s and lead by a shot over Stirling’s Ross Laird.

What a difference a year makes

Last year’s STS Final will be remembered for the wind and driving rain that turned the STS conclusion into a war of attrition. Only four players in the men’s field broke par over three rounds. Jamieson was the only woman to better par; a second round, six-under 68 paved her way to victory. Scroll forward 12 months and warm sunshine and zephyr-like winds had the 42 qualifiers (30 men and 12 women) itching to get to the first tee. Fredriksson is a far better player than when she first played in the elite series three years ago. “I’ve developed a lot over the Student Tour Series,” the Sports Science student said. “Playing different courses has helped make my game better. I've become a lot more patient as a player too. I can accept different weathers and feel I can compete on any given week.” She was certainly competitive over the Jubilee in round one: she hit every fairway and only missed one green.

Fredriksson form

Fredriksson’s only STS win came during the 2023/24 season when she won the STS – Spain at La Sella Golf Club. She parlayed that into victory in the prestigious St Rule Trophy last summer. That she hasn’t won since is perhaps a surprise. Fredericksson has placed fourth, second and been third on two occasions this campaign. “It doesn’t bother me that I haven’t won since Spain, because I’m just trying to focus on my processes and improve my game.” She’s just 36 holes from taking care of that second victory. Joo might have held the lead if not for a quadruple bogey on the par-4 15th hole when she lost a ball. However, the two-time winner is well placed to finish her rookie year as Order of Merit winner. She holds a 35-point lead over Jamieson at the top of the table, and is 40 points in front of Fredriksson.

Eoin Sullivan - Trinity College Dublin

“The events are great, the courses fantastic, the organisation is top notch and it’s made me a better player. I’m really going to miss it. So I’m just going to soak up every last minute and to do it here at the home of golf just tops it all off.”

Soaking up their final STS event

Sullivan and Peet are playing in the STS for the last time and intending to soak up every minute of the experience. Peet kicked off his round in fine style. He birdied the par-4 1^st and then holed an 87-yard shot with a 54-degree wedge for eagle at the second. “Obviously it was a great start and then I just controlled my ball well, put it in the right places and gave myself a lot of chances,” said Peet, who is in his final year at Cardiff. “I didn’t expect much today so this is a bit of surprise but I’m looking forward to the next two days because this is my last STS tournament and I want to make the most of it.” So does Sullivan. He is a veteran of four STS seasons and will soon graduate with a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence and Data.

Old Course excitement

The 23-year-old didn’t drop a shot around the Jubilee, making two birdies on the way out and four on the way home. “I struck the ball great all day,” Sullivan said. “I made a good birdie putt on the 11th from about 12 foot and that got the putter going for the back nine. “I’m looking forward to the Old Course on Wednesday because this is my last year on the Student Tour and I’ve loved every minute since the 2021/22 season,” Sullivan added. “I’ve made so many friends, the events are great, the courses fantastic, the organisation is top notch and it’s made me a much better player. I’m really going to miss it. So I’m just going to soak up every last minute and to do it here at the home of golf just tops it all off.” Men’s Order of Merit leader Judd Sundelson of St Andrews posted a level-par 72 and sits in joint 13th place. The South African has an almost unassailable lead of 85 points over Stirling’s George Cannon, and 102 points in front of Thomas Abom of Maynooth. They share 22nd place after matching three-over-par 75s.

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