The three-day, 54-hole event features players with handicaps ranging from one to +5 and runs until Sunday.

It was first played at Fulford, York,, external in 2018, introduced as part of The R&A’s drive to boost the girls’ game in Great Britain and Ireland and provide a pathway to the elite amateur level for leading young players.

Ria Prabhakar, 15, from West Essex Golf Club, said: “It is the biggest event I will play in all year.

“I hope to turn professional one day and play on the LPGA Tour. It has been the dream, ever since I started playing golf as a four-year-old.”

Fellow Essex player Emily Dixon, 15, is also playing in the tournament for the final time. She said she was very excited and hoping to win.

“I hope to be the best of the best. I want to be like Tiger Woods, but obviously the girl version of him,” said the Southend golfer, who plays off a handicap of 0.2.

“One day, I hope young girls can look up to me. Golf is such a great family sport. It is outside; you get to see and play with all your friends. I would love to make a career of it.”