Paul O'Hara wins Scottish Young Pros by eight shots
The 29-year-old closed with rounds of 63 and 68 for a 21-under-par total, turning the last day into a procession as he added to victories in 2013 and 2015, with a play-off defeat sandwiched in between.
“I’m delighted because there were a lot of good players in the field this week, including two former European Tour players in Alastair Forsyth and my big brother, Steven,” said O’Hara.
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Hide AdFive ahead at the halfway stage, the North Lanarkshire Leisure-attached player stretched his advantage to seven shots following a flawless eight-under-par morning effort before coasting home with a closing effort that contained six birdies.
“I’ve been playing well recently and it’s nice to add a win to some second and third-place finishes,” added O’Hara, who has been reinvigorated since he entered the PGA programme.
This win added to his P&H Championship triumph at The Renaissance Club earlier in the year and now his aim is to secure a top-three finish on the Tartan Tour Order of Merit.
“That’s the goal I set with my coach, David Orr, last winter as it would get me into the PGA Play-Offs at Saunton later in the year, which would give me a chance to secure a couple of European Tour starts next season,” he said.
Forsyth, a two-time European Tour winner, was best of the rest on 271, four shots clear of third-placed Gavin Hay, the man who pipped O’Hara two years ago.
Elsewhere, former Walker Cup player Jack McDonald marked his return from an injury lay-off in style by carding a 66 in the opening round of the PGA EuroPro Tour’s FORE Business Championship at The Oxfordshire.
The six-under-par effort - he was out in 30 - nestled the Ayrshireman into second spot, a shot behind Englishman Matt Cort in the £46,735 event.