Northern Ireland golfer Beth Coulter confirmed that she will turn professional after competing in her second Augusta National Women’s Amateur in the summer.
Coulter has had an impressive career at amateur level and has represented Ireland in many tournaments including the European Team Championship, World Amateur Team Championship, Vagliano Trophy and she was also part of the Curtis Cup winning team in 2024.
The 20-year-old made her debut at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last year, but missed the cut after she carded rounds of 72 and 77, although she now feels better prepared after that experience.
“Last year [at Augusta] everything was so new, exciting and overwhelming,” Coulter told BBC Sport NI.
“It was so surreal so, this year, I know the lay of the land and having a bit of familiarity. I know how the week runs and am a bit more comfortable in that environment.
“It is a really big year. Augusta coming up, turning pro in the summer and the Curtis Cup, hopefully, so it is a really exciting few months.”
Coulter, who is currently on a golf scholarship at Arizona State University and is in her final semester before turning professional, admitted she has mixed emotions about making the switch but is “lucky do something I love as my job”.
“I know I have a good few people to lean on who have just turned pro,” she continued.
“A lot of us on the LET [Ladies European Tour] and LPGA [Ladies Professional Golf Association] just over Christmas met up in Dublin and were talking about the last 10 years how we have grown up together and now four or five of those girls are in the LET and LPGA.
“Obviously, it is a bit nerve wracking, there is no next step. Now it is the big bad world, but I am very lucky to do something I love as my job, so it is very exciting.”