Liam Johnston wins it for Scotland
IRVINE, SCOTLAND (June 4, 2017) -
Liam Johnston saw off the challenges of an international field to lift the prestigious Carrick Neill Scottish Men’s Open Championship title at Western Gailes.
Johnston overcame windy conditions to secure a two-shot success in the Men’s stroke play event, becoming the first Scot to win the coveted silverware since Wallace Booth in 2008.
Having won the African Amateur at Leopard Creek in March, the Dumfries & County player has strengthened his Walker Cup claims after landing his biggest win in the game to date. The 24-year-old, coached by James Erksine, posted closing rounds of 69 and 71 for a nine-under-total, two ahead of fast-finishing Englishman Matthew Jordan from Royal Liverpool.
Peebles’ Craig Howie slipped to a closing three-over 74 but still finished in a tie for third on five under alongside Australian David Micheluzzi, whose hopes were ended after he sliced out of bounds onto the railway line at 17. Drumoig’s Connor Syme ensured three Scots finished in the top five with his four-under total.
🎥 🏆 Huge congrats to Dumfries & County's Liam Johnston - the new Carrick Neill Scottish Men's Open champion! Enjoy the final scenes of his 2-shot triumph and hear from the 24-year-old, the first Scottish winner of the 72-hole stroke play event since 2008. We Film Golf
Posted by Scottish Golf on Sunday, June 4, 2017
Johnston, who joins a winners’ list that includes recent champions Andrew Sullivan, Tommy Fleetwood and Richie Ramsay, birdied three of his first six holes in the final round thanks to an expert short game and held on for glory.
“It was just a grind all day, to be honest,” he admitted. “It was a windy all day, especially on the back nine in the final round.
“I feel like this game, once you get to the upper levels, is all about self-belief and knowing you can do it. The win earlier in the year in South Africa definitely helped me to stay calm today.
“I would say the field was slightly stronger here than in South Africa so it’s definitely my biggest achievement to date. The Walker Cup is one of my main goals for the year, so to get a second win is huge. But I just need to keep going as there is still a lot of golf to be played.”
Western Gailes, which hosted Rory McIlroy when Ireland won the European Amateur Team title at the venue 10 years ago, proved a superb host for the event with the links in excellent order.
Carrick Neill is recognised in the market as one of the UK’s leading providers of golf insurance for both golf clubs and golfers alike. The company has a long association with Scottish Golf and became official sponsors of the Scottish Men’s Open Championship in 2010.
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Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play
The Scottish Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play
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all Nationalities. 72-hole stroke play
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