Coulter saw off the challenge of leading stroke play qualifier, Rachel Gourley, in the last-16 after a 2&1 win, while Scotland’s Darling also eased into the last eight after beating Darcy Harry 6&5.

Darling, boosted by her Curtis Cup selection on Monday, won the inaugural R&A Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship at the Yorkshire venue in 2018, capitalising on a late Coulter mistake.

The pair could yet meet in the final at Fulford this week, with Coulter, 17, continuing her solid season after beating Gourley and 13-year-old Roisin Scanlon, the youngest player in the field.

“It’s the furthest I’ve been in this competition and hopefully I can push on. Back in 2018, it was three rounds of stroke play and it’s now great to play knock-out here as it’s a great match play course with the bunkers, rough and trees,” Coulter said.

Darling, 18, has also flourished this summer – including winning the St Rule Trophy – and was not taken past the 14th hole in her two comfortable victories against Harry and, earlier, Faye Wheatley.

Maggie Whitehead, 15, recently crowned English Girls' Under-16 Open champion, also continued her form to reach the last-eight, defeating her compatriot Patience Rhodes by one hole.

Whitehead now meets Wales’ Gracie Mayo, who beat Ameila Wan 2&1 in the last-16, while Ellen Yates capped her debut appearance in the championship by reaching the quarter-finals thanks to a one-hole triumph over fellow English player Olivia Lee.

Lottie Woad, who finished third in stroke playing qualifying, exited in a 5&3 defeat to Olivia Williams in the last-16.