Ayrshire has been the place for amateur dramatics over the last few days. After Connor Syme came through the 36-hole qualifier for the Open Championship at Gailes Links last Tuesday, Nairn’s Sandy Scott struck another blow for the unpaid ranks as he secured a tee-time for this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at the end of the two round shoot-out at Barassie last night.
At times it was wetter than King Neptune’s hankie on a dour, damp day, but Scott made sure he was home and dry with a tidy six-under 67 for a seven-under 139 as he seized one of just four places on offer for this week’s glamorous gathering at nearby Dundonald Links.
“I went to a couple of Scottish Opens when they were up at Castle Stuart but playing in it will be something else,” said Scott after a six-birdie round which was concluded with a decisive brace at 17 and 18.
He finished four strokes behind the eventual winner, Gareth Wright, who added a steady 71 to the sizzling 64 he had on Saturday. “I actually had a 62 at Dundonald in a Tartan Tour event so I’m looking forward to going back there,” said Wright, who earned £4,500.
Jack Doherty came through for the second successive year and a birdie from eight-feet on the 18th in a 69 left him in second on an eight-under 138. “Dundonald is 15 minutes from my house so this week will be nice,” said the Kilmarnock-based Doherty.
Paul O'Hara denied Kirkhill amateur Craig Ross in a play-off for the final spot as he rattled in an eagle putt of some 30-feet on the first hole of the sudden-death shoot-out. This potentially lucrative addition to the schedule for O’Hara is another significant step in a highly profitable season for the Motherwell man who has already won the Northern Open and the PGA Professionals’ Championship.
“It will be my first European Tour event, although I’ve caddied in loads for my big brother,” said O’Hara, the younger sibling of former European campaigner, Steven.
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