The Smyth Salver is awarded to the leading amateur at the AIG Women's Open. It is not a consolation prize. It is one of the most respected distinctions in women's amateur golf, and retaining it across two consecutive major championships is something only a handful of players have ever done.
Paula arrived at Royal Lytham & St Annes as the defending Salver holder and left with the trophy again. The conditions at Lytham were unforgiving — wind off the Irish Sea, tight lies, and greens that punished anything short of precision. She handled all of it with a composure that looked less like youth and more like experience.
Her ball-striking throughout the week was the story. Fairways found, greens hit in regulation, and a short game that converted when the scoring opportunities came. The scorecard told the story of someone who understood the golf course rather than just reacting to it.
Back-to-back Salvers put Paula in company that includes some of the most decorated names in the amateur game. The question now is how long she stays amateur — and whether a professional career is the next chapter. Based on what she showed at Lytham, the answer to the second question seems obvious.
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Canesh Arce
Canesh Arce is the Founder of The Par Report, covering the PGA Tour, major championships, and the business of professional golf.