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| Jack McDonald |
Returning to the scene of his 2009 Scottish Boys Strokeplay title win, McDonald finished the weather affected four round championship five shots adrift of the winner, Ewan Scott (St Andrews)
(From the Scottishgolf website)
Ewan Scott defied the difficult conditions to go one better than the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish Boys Championship and claim glory in the Golf Data Lab Youths Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Ladybank Golf Club.
Ahead of turning 17 on Wednesday, the St Andrews teenager gave himself an early birthday present in the prestigious Under-21 national event, winning by three strokes from his SGU National Boys’ Squad team-mate Bradley Neil after 72 holes.
Scott, who posted a four-over-par total of 288 in the testing weather of strong winds and driving rain, joins the likes of Stephen Gallacher, Martin Laird, Gregory Bourdy and Paul McGinley on the championship’s impressive roll of honour.
The Madras College pupil, juggling his Higher exams with golf at present, was runner-up to Peebles’ Craig Howie at the Scottish Boys but has quickly atoned for any lingering disappointment from losing 7&6 at Murcar Links.
Scott held a two-shot lead over an international field after the first 36 holes at Ladybank. He looked set to extend his advantage still further only to drop three shots in the last five holes of his third round.
Still holding a two-stroke advantage over Craig Ross (Kirkhill) and Jack McDonald going into the final round, Scott produced steady golf for the first 13 holes to take total control of the event.
However, a triple bogey at the demanding par-4 14th, played straight into the teeth of the wind, gave the field hope, especially Neil, who was suddenly only two strokes behind.
But Blairgowrie’s Neil, like Scott a former English Under-14 champion, dropped a shot at the final hole, while the leader regained his composure to par the last four holes and ease to his three-shot win.
Scott, coached by Steve North of St Andrews Links Golf Academy, said: “It’s great to win. After the rain delay on Friday, I came back on Saturday morning and didn’t have a bogey for a number of holes. I played really solid golf, nothing stupid.
“It was brutal conditions today, some of the toughest weather I’ve played in wind-wise, it was swirling and it was hard to commit to a shot.
“I took 7 at the 14th, but I knew I had a wee cushion. It made it a bit easier to take. That was my worst hole of the week, but you are always going to have one.
“The win continues my great start to the season, as I’ve not really had a bad finish yet.”
Neil, still aged only 16, was pleased with his efforts to finish seven-over and added: “It was tough due to the weather, but I’m still pretty happy. I can’t be disappointed.
“Myself and Ewan are punching above our weight really at this level so it’s good for us both.
“I’ve been playing well this season and have a bit of momentum. I’m striking the ball well.”
Ayrshire teenager McDonald, the Kilmarnock (Barassie) player who won the Scottish Boys’ Stroke Play Championship over Ladybank in 2009, and Ryan Walsh (Kirkcaldy) claimed the bronze medals at nine-over-par.
The event was delayed due to heavy rain on Friday, but the superb efforts of the Ladybank greenkeeping team ensured the course remained in excellent condition.
LEADING FINAL SCORES
LEADING FINAL SCORES
288 - Ewan Scott (St Andrews) 72 67 75 74
291 - Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) 71 72 74 74
293 - Ryan Walsh (Kirkcaldy) 78 71 72 72, Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) 73 71 72 77
297 - Craig Ross (Kirkhill) 70 72 74 81
298 - Angus Carrick (Douglas Park) 71 74 77 76, Eamon Bradley (Mount Ellen) 76 69 73 80
299 - Connor Syme (Dumfries & Co) 74 74 77 74, Jamie Harrison (Rotherham) 72 72 78 77, Anthony Blaney (Liberton) 69 77 78 75, Cameron Mitchell (Lundin) 69 75 77 78, Greig Marchbank (Dumfries & Co) 70 74 78 77.
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