Student Series

Nilsson and Fior claim Student Tour Series wins in Ireland

The R&A

03 Oct 24

3 mins

Pride was written all over Hanna Nilsson’s face at the conclusion of the R&A Student Tour Series – Ireland (STS) on becoming the fourth Halmstad student to win an STS event.

For Italian Lorenzo Fior of the University of Venice, victory in the men’s event was more national than personal pride. Fior and Nilsson were crowned champions at Belvoir Park in Belfast after a final round that could have produced any number of men’s or women’s champions, such was the calibre on display over the two-time Irish Open venue. Nilsson won the women’s event by two shots over University of St Andrews scholar Emilie Knai thanks to a nine-under 210 total (69, 70 and 71). Fior edged out UCLAN student Max Weaver by a stroke after compiling a seven-under 206 aggregate (68, 70 and 68).

First STS victory

Although Nilsson led from the opening day, she emerged victorious in the final round from a closing pack that included past winners in Lucy Jamieson, Kate Lanigan and Halmstad teammate Elice Fredriksson. They were the players who seemed most likely to deny Nilsson her first STS victory. However, it was French golfer Knai who pushed Nilsson all the way. The first-year student was level with Nilsson playing the 18th hole thanks to five birdies in eight holes over the back nine. However, a double bogey six on the 18th hole put paid to her title chances. Nilsson joins Fredriksson and teammates William Leu and Jesper Littorin as STS champions. Previously she counted two third-place finishes as her best showings. “Of course I wanted to win like my teammates,” she said. “But I think Elice, William and Jesper winning set the example and that pulled me along to do like they did. The great thing about Halmstad is we win together, we lose together.”

Growing in experience

Now in her third STS season, Nilsson says the STS experience has made her a far better player. “I’m so much better mentally now from playing in the student series,” she added. “Of course I’m three years older, I’m stronger, so I can hit better shots, but the most different thing is the mental side of my game. I don’t let a bad shot get to me now the way I would have done two years ago or last year. “I didn’t even feel pressure this week, I think because I had my team with me and my coach. We have a really good time together and that helps a lot. I wasn’t nervous today. I just did my thing. I’ve learned today that I can win out here. This result proves that my training has been really good. It makes me feel like now I can do it again.” Fior was the only Italian in the field. He was playing in just his fourth STS event. Although he wanted to win personally, he said the pride of winning as the only player from his country was extra satisfying.

Hanna Nilsson has won for the first time on the Student Tour Series.

Proud success

“It’s good for me to win a student series tournament, but I think it’s a big thing for me winning as the only Italian here,” he said. “There are lots of good British and Irish players, so to beat them feels special for me.” Aside from Weaver, 36-hole leader Patrick Curran of the National College of Ireland was in contention over the first nine holes. So was St Andrews scholar Judd Sundelson, while Stirling’s Nicholas Wall placed third, just three shots off the pace. Fior had another hurdle to get over despite being the sole Italian speaker in the field: he had to forgo a practice round over the Harry Colt-designed course. He didn’t arrive in Belfast until 4pm on the eve of the event. He added, “I got to know the course better each day and that helped me today. I hit more drivers on holes today because I was more comfortable and I think that made the difference.”

Birdie feast

Despite his lack of pre-event practice, the product design student made 16 birdies over the three days, including six over the closing round. Fior is the second Italian winner in STS history following Miguel Orzi’s victory at Olgiata in Rome last season. Tied with Fior on seven-under, Weaver had a chance to force a play-off at the 18th hole. However, he failed to get up and down from just off the green and had to settle for his second runner-up finish since losing in a play-off in the STS – Portugal during the 2022-23 season. It is the second consecutive event that the STS has produced first time champions. The series resumes in Spain at La Sella Golf Club in Spain, when the third event of the 2024-25 season takes place.