Law launches another great drive at Western Gailes

 The 2011 Scottish Amateur Champion David Law (PHOTOS: ANDY FORMAN)

Law, who becomes the first multiple winner of the championship since Charlie Green in 1983, was in outstanding form from start to finish, firing eight birdies and an eagle in thirty-one holes, which 20-year-old Kay couldn’t match.

The win was sealed in fine style as Law rifled a 9-iron from 153 yards to eighteen inches at the par three thirteenth of the afternoon round, indicative of his superb iron play throughout the final.

A jubilant Law, whose first title win came just a few miles down the coast at Royal Troon two years ago, was delighted with his display:

“It feels even better than the first time as I think I’ll appreciate it more. I’ve had an up and down year after the high of performing so well in South Africa, then probably being too hard on myself in the big events during the middle of the year. This was a big week for me and I can take great pride in the way I’ve played.”

“Today was without doubt some of the best golf I’ve produced and tee to green I hardly missed a shot. I came into this week with a really positive attitude and to play the way I did on front of so many people was good fun.” said Law, who moves onto Sweden next week to compete in the European Amateur Championship.

As the players teed off in glorious sunshine this morning, it was Kay who made the first breakthrough with an opening birdie three, but that proved to be the only time he held the lead after Law responded with his first birdie at the third to square the match.

Law moved ahead with a winning par at the fifth and stretched his lead with a glorious 35-foot eagle putt at the sixth, after Kay had made a great sand save for birdie. Further birdies followed for Law at the eighth and the eleventh to go three clear and the duo halved the next five holes before a wayward second at the 17th from Kay allowed lead to a bogey, increasing Law’s lead to four holes at the halfway stage.

That lead became five when Law birdied the opening hole of the back nine but Kay fought back to win the 20th with a par. The lead was restored to five when Kay three-putted the 23rd hole and after both players made excellent up and down birdies at the long 24th, Law turned the screw with a fine birdie two at the next after hitting his tee shot to four feet.

The result was looking inevitable when Law sank another 4-foot birdie putt at the 30th but Kay wasn’t to be outdone, rattling in a 30-foot birdie putt at the next hole to keep the game alive. The Dunbar man still had a mountain climb and the result was sealed when Kay conceded Law’s 18-inch birdie putt at the 31st.

Despite the defeat, Kay was a pleased with his performances throughout the week:

“That was frightening golf today, as solid as it gets and David deserved to win. Overall, it’s been a great championship and I’ve played some great golf myself. Hopefully my performances will get noticed and I can build on what I’ve achieved.”

Fourteen North East boys were competing in the Scottish Boys Strokeplay Championships at Nairn Dunbar last week out of a field of 144. Four North East boys survived the halfway cut that fell at 150, 8 over par; Jamie Reid (Cruden Bay) 78, 70; Grant Joss (Royal Aberdeen) 73,75; Ben Murray (Portlethen) 77, 72; Chris Lamb (Newmachar) 73, 76.

In the end Jamie finished tied 16 after rounds of (78, 70, 74, 71), Ben finished 29th (77, 72, 78, 72), Chris tied 30th (73, 76, 75, 77) and Grant 40th (73, 75, 86, 75).

The event was won by Josh Jamieson (St Andrews New) who finished 5 under par after rounds of 72, 69, 70 and 72.

Those who missed the cut were;

Robbie Gauld (Cruden Bay) - 78, 73

Andrew Carrell (Peterculter) – 79, 75

Daniel Thompsett (Aboyne) – 83, 72

Sam Kiloh (Portlethen) – 80, 75

Jake Scott (Strathlene) – 77, 78

Jack Walker (Fraserburgh) – 84, 72

Kerr Baptie (Duff House Royal) – 81, 76

Jamie Pryde (Deeside) – 79, 81

Lewis Mutch (Duff House Royal) – 84, 81

Declan Flood (Auchmill) - RTD

Ten North East boys were competing in the Scottish U16 Strokeplay Championships at Forfar on 6 - 8 July. The first qualifying round was abandoned and the championship cut to 54 holes. Only three boys made the cut, which fell at 73, 4 over par. Andrew Carrell (Peterculter) 71, Lewis Mutch (Duff House Royal) and Adam Fisher (Inchmarlo) both shot 72’s.

In the end Lewis finished tied 12 after a superb last round of 66 (72, 74, 66), Andrew finished tied 17 (71, 70, 73) and Adam tied 20 (72, 73, 70).

The event was won by Ben Kinsley (St Andrews) who finished 4 under par after rounds of 70, 68 and 65.

Those who missed the cut were:

Jack Moir (Cruden Bay) – 74

Ben Murray (Portlethen), Grant Joss (Royal Aberdeen) – 76

Jake Scott (Strathlene) – 77

Elliot Moore (Royal Aberdeen), Craig Lawrie (Deeside), Lewis McWilliam (Aboyne) – 78

Ryan McKinnon (Peterculter) – 83.