PAUL O’HARA underlined his billing as an emerging force on the Tartan Tour with a fine seven-shot victory in the Northern Open over the Moray links at Lossiemouth.
With a decorated roll of honour including celebrated Ryder Cup campaigners like John Panton, Eric Brown, Harry Bannerman and Brian Barnes, O’Hara chiselled his name on to the cherished old trophy with closing day rounds of 66 and 71 for a seven-under aggregate 270 which gave him a commanding, wire-to-wire victory over Gavin Hay, Paul McKechnie and Greg McBain.
It really was a magnificent seven for O’Hara. He was the only player to finish under par in the robust conditions and, in terms of family bragging rights, he came in 20 shots ahead of his big brother Steven, the former European Tour player, who shared 18th.
Having harnessed the vigorous elements to great effect on the opening day with a one-over 72, while many were ballooning to scores in the high 70s and 80s, O’Hara had put down solid foundations for one of the most significant wins of his career.
"This win is right up there with my best,” he said, after picking up the first prize of £1400. “This was over 72 holes. To lead from start to finish in an event like this is pretty good, especially with the likes of my brother, Alastair Forsyth, Greig Hutcheon and Paul McKechnie in the field."
At Royal Aberdeen, meanwhile, the defending champion, Ailsa Summers, was a second round casualty in the Scottish Ladies Amateur Championship.
Summers had been four up through seven in her tussle with Jennifer Saxton of Muckhart but Saxton fought back and inched ahead for the first time on the 15th before holding on to claim a notable scalp.
With the No 1 qualifier, Chloe Goadby falling at the first hurdle in the morning after a defeat to Strathaven’s Molly Richmond, the leading seeds were having a tough time.
Clara Young, the champion in 2015 and the winner of last week’s St Rule Trophy, had been three down at the turn against Rachel Polson in round two but rallied to earn an extra-hole victory and progress to the last-eight.
On the European Tour, Grantown’s Duncan Stewart was the best of the Scots after round one of the Lyoness Open. Stewart posted a one-under 71 and was six behind Chile’s Felipe Aguilar, who set a brisk early pace with a 65.
Stephen Gallacher opened with a 72 but Marc Warren could only muster a 77. Scott Henry is set to miss his 13th cut in a row after an 81.
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