The PGAs of Europe International Team Championship trophy is back in the Scottish PGA's cabinet of silverware after a six year absence as the Tartan Tour trio of David Orr, David Patrick and Gareth Wright set the seal on a comprehensive triumph in Portugal yesterday, writes Nick Rodger.
Leading by fiv e shots heading into the closing round, the Scots cantered over the finishing line with a level-par 144 – their worst tally of the week – for a 16-under aggregate of 560 and a nine-stroke win over England and the Netherlands. It was Scotland's seventh victory in the championship and a first since the trio of Jim McKinnon, Sam Cairns and Craig Lee plundered the honours in Murcia back in 2006.
Patrick, the former Walker Cup player and Challenge Tour winner, was the pick of the Scots on the final day with a one-under 71, which included an eagle-three on the 17th.
Orr, the former Scottish PGA champion and team captain, added a one-over 73 to the card while Wright, the British Club Professionals' champion who had made such a big contribution to the cause in the three previous rounds, could have been forgiven for his non-counting 74. "It's been a real team effort," said Orr.
* PGAs of Europe International Team Championship, Palmares resort, Alvor course (Par 72), Portugal
Final Totals. 560 Scotland 137 141 138 144 (D Patrick 71, D Orr 73, G Wright 74 non-counting)
569 Netherlands 146 140 142 141, England 137 144 140 148
570 France 145 142 138 145
578 Germany 145 144 144 145
580 Spain 150 143 146 141, Portugal 146 143 145 146
581 South Africa 144 151 146 140
590 Wales 148 147 147 148
592 Ireland 143 149 147 153
Individuals. Final Totals
282 G Wright (Sco) 68 69 71 74, R Swane (Ned) 72 70 70 70, S Little (Eng) 70 71 68 73
283 D Orr (Sco) 71 72 67 73, M Michell (SA) 71 70 72 70
Others
288 D Patrick (Sco) 69 72 76 71 (T10)
291 S Parry (Eng) 67 73 72 69 (13)
293 A Barnett (Wal) 75 74 71 73 (14)
294 D Gleeson (Irl) 72 73 74 75 (15)
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