Hannah Darling will be fulfilling a lifelong dream in 2026 as she tees up on the Ladies European Tour (LET) as a full member.
The Scottish star secured Category 12 status in style last month finishing T5 at Lalla Aicha Q-School following two tough weeks in Morocco.
“I’m feeling everything above – relief, excitement, happiness, pride,” Darling said, who made several starts on the LET Access Series (LETAS) in 2025. “It’s been quite a year and quite a couple of months. I’ve put a lot of hard work in and am truly excited to go and play on the LET next year. It’s been a dream for a while. I’m very proud, especially how I handled the last couple of weeks [at Q-School]. It’s a tough two weeks but I’m very happy and excited about what’s to come.
“I handled the nerves well. I think Pre-Q was harder, because if you don’t make it through that, you don’t really have anything [on the LET]. Whereas going into this week [Final-Q], I just had to keep reminding myself that I do have a job for next year. No matter what, I’ll have starts on the LET. I kept positive and handled the situation well. I played really good golf and I’m very proud.”
Darling earns LET membership off the back of an excellent amateur career, one which included an appearance at the 2019 PING Junior Solheim Cup, five appearances at the European Girls’ Team Championship representing Scotland, and three appearances at the Curtis Cup. In the latter, the 22-year-old was part of star-studded GB&I side which claimed victory under compatriot Catriona Matthew in 2024. The team included fellow Q-School graduate Aine Donegan, LET winners Lottie Woad and Mimi Rhodes, plus LET members Sara Byrne and Lorna McClymont.
“I’m super proud to be Scottish,” Darling said, who also played collegiate golf at the University of South Carolina (USC). “Any time you get to represent your country is awesome.”
The Scot carded rounds of 70-72-67-68 in Marrakech at the Final-Qualifier to safely make it into the top-20. She was helped by compatriot Heather Macrae who filled in as caddie across the fortnight.
“Heather Macrae was caddying for me who played on Tour for a while,” Darling explained. “She’s one of the most positive people that you’ll ever meet. She’s awesome. She’s been working with Scottish Golf and has captained me before. She hopped in and offered to caddie at Q-School. She was awesome. She was a psychologist, caddie, friend, everything. I’m super grateful to her.”
While Darling’s proud father also watched on from the sidelines as his daughter realised her LET dream.
“I could probably count how many times I’ve seen my dad cry and today was one of them,” she said. “He’s been there through it all. My whole family are great and will always stick by me. I’m super happy my dad was able to be here with me.”
As for 2026, Darling has plenty to look forward to with the LET visiting 21 countries across five continents during its global schedule.
“I’m really excited for the year ahead,” she said. The Australian swing looks really good. But honestly, I don’t want to get too far ahead. I’m really happy and am excited for next year.”
