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Donald Trump's new course in Scotland to stage its first big professional event.
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
Staysure PGA Seniors Championship heading back to Aberdeen venue - but for different test
The New Course at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire is set to stage its first big professional event - a year after it was officially opened by US President Donald Trump.
The Staysure PGA Seniors Championship hosted by Colin Montgomerie will mark a significant milestone when it takes place at the Balmedie venue on 6-9 August.
The event has been played on what is now called the Old Course at the Trump-owned resort over the past three years. But, after it was opened during last year’s tournament, it is now being switched to the equally spectacular New Course.
The PGA Seniors Championship will be part of a 2026 global Legends Tour schedule, with Staysure having become the circuit’s new title sponsor.
Featuring the likes of Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie, Stephen Gallacher and David Drysdale, events will be staged across the UK and Ireland, Europe, America, the Caribbean and Asia.
The schedule also includes a second staging of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Gleneagles, where Darren Clarke triumphed in 2022.
Other highlights include a co-sanctioned PGA Tour Champions event in Portugal at the end of July that will see many global stars playing at the Els Club in Vilamoura.
“The Staysure Legends Tour represents the very best of the game’s experience and competitive spirit,” said Ryan Howsam, chairman of both Staysure and the Staysure Legends Tour.
Slot left open on DP World Tour
“Aligning Staysure with the tour allows us to support a global sporting platform built on trust, quality and long-term ambition. The strengthened schedule and new identity reflect the direction of travel and the opportunities ahead.”
A slot has been left open on the DP World Tour at the end of August, with an event at Trump International Golf Links expected to be announced in the near future.
It follows the success of the inaugural Nexo Championship last year, when Grant Forrest landed a home victory and was congratulated by Trump in a video call almost straight afterwards.
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PGA Scotland 2026 Yearbook
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Qatar Masters: Will it be Doha delight again for one of 11 Scots as 2022 winner eyes repeat?
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
Scots chase more glory in 29th edition of DP World Tour event
It’s the event that sits alongside the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship when it comes to delivering the most Scottish success on the DP World Tour in the past 25 or so years.
Andrew Coltart started the ball rolling when he got his hands on the iconic Mother of Pearl Trophy in the inaugural edition of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in 1999 before Paul Lawrie triumphed the following year at Doha Golf Club then again in 2012.
Ewen Ferguson in action during the pro-am prior to the Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club | Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Ewen Ferguson landed another tartan triumph in 2022 and he’s excited to be back at the same venue for this week’s 29th edition as part of a bumper 11-strong Caledonian contingent. “Yeah, it would be cool to get my hands on that trophy again because it is something else,” admitted the 29-year-old.
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Results and Prize Breakdown from the American Express
The American Express
22 - 25 January, 2026ESPN+/Golf ChannelLa Quinta Country Club - La Quinta, CAPar72Yards7060PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament Course) - La Quinta, CAPar72Yards7147Pete Dye Stadium Course - La Quinta, CAPar72Yards7210Purse$9,200,000Previous WinnerSepp StrakaFinalPOS PLAYER SCORE R1 R2 R3 R4 TOT EARNINGS FEDEX PTS 1 
Scottie Scheffler-27 63 64 68 66 261 $1,656,000 500 T2 
Jason Day-23 63 71 67 64 265 $616,400 184 T2 Ryan Gerard-23 70 66 64 65 265 $616,400 184 T2 Andrew Putnam-23 72 60 65 68 265 $616,400 184 T2 Matt McCarty-23 63 66 68 68 265 $616,400 184 T6 Sam Stevens-22 64 67 68 67 266 $322,000 95 T6 
Si Woo Kim-22 63 65 66 72 266 $322,000 95 T8 Sahith Theegala-21 71 64 67 65 267 $250,700 75 T8 Russell Henley-21 65 66 69 67 267 $250,700 75 T8 
Haotong Li-21 68 67 64 68 267 $250,700 75 T8 Austin Smotherman-21 66 65 68 68 267 $250,700 75 T8 Tom Hoge-21 64 68 65 70 267 $250,700 75 T13 David Ford-20 67 66 70 65 268 $169,740 55 T13 Zach Bauchou-20 65 70 65 68 268 $169,740 55 T13 Patrick Cantlay-20 63 68 68 69 268 $169,740 55 T13 Jacob Bridgeman-20 64 66 69 69 268 $169,740 55 T13 Wyndham Clark-20 66 64 66 72 268 $169,740 55 T18 Will Zalatoris-19 65 70 70 64 269 $117,607 44 T18 S.H. Kim-19 63 66 74 66 269 $117,607 44 T18 Karl Vilips-19 67 65 70 67 269 $117,607 44 T18 Pierceson Coody-19 62 72 67 68 269 $117,607 44 T18 Rickie Fowler-19 67 63 71 68 269 $117,607 44 T18 Blades Brown-19 67 60 68 74 269 $117,607 0 T24 
Harry Hall-18 72 66 67 65 270 $81,420 36 T24 Adam Scott-18 65 69 68 68 270 $81,420 36 T24 Ben Griffin-18 63 68 69 70 270 $81,420 36 T27 Billy Horschel-17 64 69 72 66 271 $57,918 25 T27 Max McGreevy-17 66 68 70 67 271 $57,918 25 T27 Max Homa-17 66 69 68 68 271 $57,918 25 T27 Jordan Smith-17 64 70 68 69 271 $57,918 25 T27 
Matthieu Pavon-17 64 70 68 69 271 $57,918 25 T27 Sam Ryder-17 68 66 68 69 271 $57,918 25 T27 Johnny Keefer-17 68 65 69 69 271 $57,918 25 T27 Harris English-17 65 67 70 69 271 $57,918 25 T27 
Nick Taylor-17 65 65 72 69 271 $57,918 25 T27 Sam Burns-17 65 67 68 71 271 $57,918 25 T27 Eric Cole-17 64 66 66 75 271 $57,918 25 T38 Tom Kim-16 72 66 66 68 272 $39,100 16 T38 
Christiaan Bezuidenhout-16 68 67 69 68 272 $39,100 16 T38 
Robert MacIntyre-16 63 72 67 70 272 $39,100 16 T38 Joel Dahmen-16 69 66 67 70 272 $39,100 16 T38 Min Woo Lee-16 62 71 69 70 272 $39,100 16 T38 J.T. Poston-16 66 67 65 74 272 $39,100 16 T44 Ricky Castillo-15 68 73 64 68 273 $25,377 9 T44 Carson Young-15 69 69 67 68 273 $25,377 9 T44 Patrick Rodgers-15 70 67 68 68 273 $25,377 9 T44 
Rafael Campos-15 66 70 69 68 273 $25,377 9 T44 Matt Kuchar-15 66 68 71 68 273 $25,377 9 T44 Alex Smalley-15 67 70 67 69 273 $25,377 9 T44 Keith Mitchell-15 68 64 72 69 273 $25,377 9 T44 Dylan Wu-15 66 73 64 70 273 $25,377 9 T44 A.J. Ewart-15 71 65 67 70 273 $25,377 9 T44 
Rasmus Højgaard-15 68 65 70 70 273 $25,377 9 T44 David Lipsky-15 68 65 70 70 273 $25,377 9 T44 
Ryo Hisatsune-15 68 65 69 71 273 $25,377 9 T56 Denny McCarthy-14 67 70 68 69 274 $20,884 5 T56 Michael Brennan-14 71 66 68 69 274 $20,884 5 T56 Taylor Moore-14 70 68 66 70 274 $20,884 5 T56 John Parry-14 67 70 67 70 274 $20,884 5 T56 Daniel Berger-14 68 66 70 70 274 $20,884 5 T56 Davis Riley-14 66 71 66 71 274 $20,884 5 T56 Max Greyserman-14 67 65 71 71 274 $20,884 5 T63 Mac Meissner-13 70 64 71 70 275 $19,688 4 T63 Davis Chatfield-13 65 70 69 71 275 $19,688 4 T63 Chandler Phillips-13 66 68 70 71 275 $19,688 4 T63 Chad Ramey-13 67 73 63 72 275 $19,688 4 T63 
Séamus Power-13 67 68 68 72 275 $19,688 4 T63 Matt Fitzpatrick-13 69 67 65 74 275 $19,688 4 69 
Adrien Dumont de Chassart-12 71 65 67 73 276 $19,044 3 T70 Zach Johnson-10 67 71 67 73 278 $18,768 3 T70 Adrien Saddier-10 68 69 66 75 278 $18,768 3 72 Gary Woodland-9 66 69 69 75 279 $18,492 3 73 Zecheng Dou-6 66 70 69 77 282 $18,308 3 - Kurt KitayamaCUT 71 69 66 -- 206 -- 0 - Austin EckroatCUT 66 74 66 -- 206 -- 0 - Brandt SnedekerCUT 71 67 68 -- 206 -- 0 - Sudarshan YellamarajuCUT 70 68 68 -- 206 -- 0 - Brice GarnettCUT 70 67 69 -- 206 -- 0 - 
Kris VenturaCUT 70 67 69 -- 206 -- 0 - 
Camilo VillegasCUT 69 68 69 -- 206 -- 0 - Davis ThompsonCUT 69 68 69 -- 206 -- 0 - Takumi KanayaCUT 67 70 69 -- 206 -- 0 - Doug GhimCUT 68 68 70 -- 206 -- 0 - Keita NakajimaCUT 65 71 70 -- 206 -- 0 - Taylor PendrithCUT 67 68 71 -- 206 -- 0 - Bud CauleyCUT 67 66 73 -- 206 -- 0 - Andrew NovakCUT 64 68 74 -- 206 -- 0 - Adam SvenssonCUT 74 70 63 -- 207 -- 0 - Kevin RoyCUT 72 68 67 -- 207 -- 0 - Michael KimCUT 71 68 68 -- 207 -- 0 - Harry HiggsCUT 66 73 68 -- 207 -- 0 - Chris KirkCUT 69 69 69 -- 207 -- 0 - Hank LebiodaCUT 68 70 69 -- 207 -- 0 - Kevin StreelmanCUT 67 71 69 -- 207 -- 0 - 
Stephan JaegerCUT 71 66 70 -- 207 -- 0 - Tony FinauCUT 68 68 71 -- 207 -- 0 - Jason DufnerCUT 69 65 73 -- 207 -- 0 - 
Jesper SvenssonCUT 72 70 66 -- 208 -- 0 - Lee HodgesCUT 70 71 67 -- 208 -- 0 - Steven FiskCUT 68 72 68 -- 208 -- 0 - 
Emilio GonzálezCUT 68 72 68 -- 208 -- 0 - Lanto GriffinCUT 71 66 71 -- 208 -- 0 - Peter MalnatiCUT 66 70 72 -- 208 -- 0 - Matt WallaceCUT 66 70 72 -- 208 -- 0 - Beau HosslerCUT 65 71 72 -- 208 -- 0 - Justin RoseCUT 72 63 73 -- 208 -- 0 - Erik van RooyenCUT 67 67 74 -- 208 -- 0 - 
Emiliano GrilloCUT 67 76 66 -- 209 -- 0 - Danny WalkerCUT 72 69 68 -- 209 -- 0 - Brian HarmanCUT 73 67 69 -- 209 -- 0 - Jeffrey KangCUT 73 67 69 -- 209 -- 0 - Vince WhaleyCUT 63 77 69 -- 209 -- 0 - 
Sami VälimäkiCUT 69 70 70 -- 209 -- 0 - Dan BrownCUT 67 71 71 -- 209 -- 0 - Frankie Capan IIICUT 71 66 72 -- 209 -- 0 - Alex NorenCUT 68 69 72 -- 209 -- 0 - 
Kevin YuCUT 66 71 72 -- 209 -- 0 - Patton KizzireCUT 69 67 73 -- 209 -- 0 - Michael ThorbjornsenCUT 66 65 78 -- 209 -- 0 - John VanDerLaanCUT 74 69 67 -- 210 -- 0 - Aldrich PotgieterCUT 73 69 68 -- 210 -- 0 - Marcelo RozoCUT 71 70 69 -- 210 -- 0 - Kensei HirataCUT 69 72 69 -- 210 -- 0 - Chan KimCUT 69 67 74 -- 210 -- 0 - S.T. LeeCUT 68 68 74 -- 210 -- 0 - William MouwCUT 66 70 74 -- 210 -- 0 - Mackenzie HughesCUT 72 72 67 -- 211 -- 0 - 
Jhonattan VegasCUT 70 72 69 -- 211 -- 0 - Neal ShipleyCUT 72 69 70 -- 211 -- 0 - Gordon SargentCUT 69 69 73 -- 211 -- 0 - Nico EchavarriaCUT 67 63 81 -- 211 -- 0 - Joe HighsmithCUT 70 71 71 -- 212 -- 0 - Chandler BlanchetCUT 69 69 74 -- 212 -- 0 - Isaiah SalindaCUT 68 70 74 -- 212 -- 0 - Mark HubbardCUT 66 78 69 -- 213 -- 0 - Patrick FishburnCUT 68 70 75 -- 213 -- 0 - Matti SchmidCUT 67 69 77 -- 213 -- 0 - 
Sepp StrakaCUT 72 74 68 -- 214 -- 0 - Michael BlockCUT 73 70 71 -- 214 -- 0 - Jackson SuberCUT 66 71 77 -- 214 -- 0 - Brian CampbellCUT 74 70 71 -- 215 -- 0 - Akshay BhatiaCUT 68 69 78 -- 215 -- 0 - Charley HoffmanCUT 72 74 70 -- 216 -- 0 - Justin LowerCUT 71 75 70 -- 216 -- 0 - Adam LongCUT 73 69 74 -- 216 -- 0 - Adam SchenkCUT 75 70 73 -- 218 -- 0 - Jimmy StangerCUT 77 70 72 -- 219 -- 0 - Cam DavisCUT 70 74 75 -- 219 -- 0 - Christo LamprechtCUT 77 67 76 -- 220 -- 0 - Alejandro TostiCUT 78 68 75 -- 221 -- 0 - Andrew LandryCUT 71 77 74 -- 222 -- 0 - Pontus NyholmCUT 78 70 78 -- 226 -- 0 - Ludvig ÅbergWD 68 67 -- -- 135 -- 0 - Luke ClantonWD 70 -- -- -- 70 -- 0 - 
Rico HoeyWD 77 -- -- -- 77 -- 0 - Nick DunlapWD 77 -- -- -- 151 -- 0 Glossary
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Patrick Reed drops LIV Golf bombshell after landing 'special' Dubai win
By Martin Dempster
American opens up on being ‘free agent’ as new contract with Saudi-backed circuit remains unsigned
Patrick Reed dropped a bombshell after winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, one of the DP World Tour’s $9 million Rolex Series events, by revealing that he’s not yet signed up to play in the upcoming LIV Golf season.
“We're still finalising the contract. We're not complete on that yet,” said the 35-year-old, speaking at Emirates Golf Club after completing a four-shot victory to become the fifth American to get his hands on the iconic Dallah Trophy.
The new LIV Golf season starts in Riyadh next month but, in two interviews earlier in the week in the UAE, Reed had spoken about how he was “supposed to be” playing in that. As things stand, it remains to be seen if he will indeed continue to be a member of the Dustin Johnson-captained 4Aces team on the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit.
Patrick Reed poses with the iconic Dallah Trophy after winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club | Getty Images
“At the moment, yes, sir,” replied the 2019 Masters champion to being asked if he was technically a free agent before it was also put to him that it could mean he has played his last LIV event if ongoing negotiations don’t reach an agreement.
“Not right now,” he insisted. “Really just all kind of depends on everything. I mean, I haven't talked to the team back home or anything like that. But, at the moment, I plan on teeing it up there in Riyadh, and I'd be surprised if we're not.”
Is it strictly money or how he feels about the direction of the LIV tour, which is switching to 72 holes for this season after ditching its much-vaunted 54-hole format?
‘I don't know where everything stands’
“No,” he continued. “I mean, it's just one of those things with contracts and stuff. There's a lot of language and wording in contracts and everything, and, at this point, I don't know where everything stands.”
Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka is preparing to make his PGA Tour return after leaving LIV Golf, with the same opportunity having been offered to Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith on the strength of them being major winners as well since 2022.
Reed, who won The Masters in 2018, described his Dubai title triumph as an “amazing win” when it was suggested that he now has a good bargaining tool in his talks with LIV Golf chiefs while, at the same time, perhaps making PGA Tour chiefs see an opportunity to lure another big name back to the circuit.
At the end of a trip to the UAE - he’s also playing on the DP World Tour in Bahrain next week - that had seen him describe the PGA Tour as the “best in the world”, Reed talked about having one eye on a pathway back to the US circuit.
“Continue to play out here and be in the top ten and be on the PGA Tour next year,” he said, smiling, of the spots up for grabs through the Race to Dubai.
In getting his hands on the iconic Dallah Trophy, the 35-year-old joined Fred Couples (1995), Mark O’Meara (2004), Tiger Woods (2006 and 2008) and Bryson DeChambeau (2019) in American sbeing crowned as the Desert Classic champion.
“I think the biggest thing this week that was so special is I've won on every tour except this one,” Reed told The Scotsman. “Even though online, it says I have three wins, one was a major and two were WGC events. So they are all co-sanctioned events.
‘To close it off means a lot to me’
“It's something that's always kind of been eating at me, sitting there not actually having a win over here. To close it off means a lot to me, especially doing it here in Dubai, which I love coming to, makes it even more special.”
Four shots ahead at the start of the day, it looked as though Reed would need to dig deep to shake off David Puig after the young Spaniard made great par saves at the first, third and seventh before ramping up the pressure by holing from 11 feet and five feet for birdies at the eighth and ninth.
With Reed going out in one over, it meant his cushion had been halved but, just when it seemed we were in for a thrilling finish on the Majlis Course, Puig’s engine started to splutter. Following three bogeys in the space of five holes from the 11th, it was game over.
Three years after finishing runner-up, having also been in the top ten last year, Reed topped the leaderboard with a 14-under-par total. Allowed the luxury of hitting an iron off the tee at the par-5 18th and taking all the trouble short of the green out of the equation as he then laid up, he signed off with a 72, finishing just before the heavens opened in the UAE, to win by four shots.
“Today was a lot harder than I expected. I knew it was going to be. I just couldn't really get anything going on the front nine,” admitted Reed, who is expected to jump from 44th to around 29th in the world rankings - his highest position for nearly four years and meaning he’s now likely to be in all four majors this year. “It's always nice to lock up the majors,” he admitted.
“I learned a lot about the round today. Instead of just keeping the foot on the gas early, I tried to protect my four-shot lead, and next thing you know, David goes and birdies eight and nine and shuts it down to two. Even Kess (Karain, his caddie and brother-in-law) was like, ‘hey, now it's a dogfight. Let's get going. Go shoot under par on the back nine, no-one will beat you’."
As Puig, who was handed a two-shot penalty for grounding his club in a bunker at the last to see a 73 turn into a 75, had to settle for a share of seventh spot on seven under, Englishman Andy Sullivan ended up as Reed’s closest challenger, catching the edge of the hole with a knee-knocker for a birdie at the last to come home in 33 as he closed with a 71.
After a disappointing 74 to end his week, Emirates Golf Club member Ewen Ferguson finished joint-33rd on two under, one better than Grant Forrest (71) in joint-41st, while Richie Ramsay (72) marked his first outing of the season by squeezing into the top 50 on one over.
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The PGA in Scotland Members’ Meeting and AGM
The PGA in Scotland Members’ Meeting and AGM takes place on 12th February at The Gleneagles Hotel.- Hear from The PGA on key issues facing PGA Professionals.- Stay informed with the latest news and developments within the PGA and the PGA in Scotland.- Connect with fellow PGA Members- Hear from a guest panel of experts in the industry.Register your attendance on BlueGolf
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Scott Jamieson secures DP World Tour card for 16th season running after timely return to form on home soil
Jamieson hands himself timely boost and sets sights on producing a ‘few more highights’ in career
Scott Jamieson is hoping his 16th successive season as a DP World Tour card holder can produce a “few more highlights” than he has managed so far.
The 41-year-old secured his seat at the top table for another year after finishing joint-fifth behind compatriot Bob MacIntyre in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday.
Jamieson headed into the event sitting 119th in the Race to Dubai but, after picking up a cheque for around £100,000 for his best performance of the season, he has jumped to 88th.
The top 115 at the end of the Genesis Championship in Korea later this month will secure a full card for next season and, with the clock beginning to tick, it was a timely return to form for the Florida-based Scot after missing seven cuts in his previous eight starts.
“Yeah, it was a big relief more than anything given the situation I was in heading into the week,” he admitted to The Scotsman, reflecting on a profitable week at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews.
Jamieson had racked up three top-ten finishes in his first seven events of the season only to find himself in freefall since tying for 19th in the BMW International Open at the beginning of July.
Conditions for Dunhill Links ‘helped somewhat’
“You try and tell yourself that, definitely,” he replied to being asked if it had just been a case of staying patient after being in a similar position two years ago and taking it right to the wire on that occasion.
“But, you know, it is not guaranteed to come and maybe the conditions and playing on courses I am very familiar with in those conditions helped me somewhat last week. You’ve just got to stick to the programme, so to speak, and be brave enough to take the opportunity when it comes.”
Jamieson’s sole success on the circuit came in the 2012 Nelson Mandela Championship in South Africa but, as he edges towards the 400 appearance mark, his career earnings stand at £6.7 million.
“Next year will be my 16th season - it’s a long time,” he said. “I suppose there’s probably not many that have been out here that long as lots come and go.
“I’ve probably not had as many highlights along the way as I would have liked but the longevity of it has certainly been pretty good. So, hopefully, I can make a few more highlights in the back end of my career.”
Jamieson laid the foundations for his strong week by carding a six-under-par 66 at St Andrews before adding a 68 at Carnoustie then signing off with a 70 at Kingsbarns as the $5 million event was cut to 54 holes after Saturday’s play was abandoned due to Storm Amy.
“Yeah, for sure,” he admitted of saving his card on Scottish soil being extra special. It’s always great fun to not only play on those courses but getting to compete on them. You’ve got Kingsbarns, which is one of the prettiest courses in the world while Carnoustie is arguably one of the best tests in the world. Then St Andrews speaks for itself with its hallowed turf. So, yeah, it was a big relief more than anything given the situation I was in heading into the week.”
As the weather started to turn nasty, MacIntyre’s 66 at Kingsbarns on Friday was a great round of golf and the same applied to Jamieson’s four-under-par salvo at Carnoustie.
Scott Jamieson lines up a putt on the 16th green during his splendid four-under 68 in tough conditions at Carnoustie Golf Links on Friday | Jan Kruger/Getty Images
“Yeah, I was lucky that I started on the back nine and I was able to take advantage of the chances I had on that nine when it was playing downwind and then it was just a case of hanging on,” he said. “It was some of the worst conditions I’ve played in over the last four or five holes.”
Jamieson was speaking en route to Madrid for this week’s Open de España at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, where home favourites Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia are spearheading a field that also includes Ryder Cup hero Shane Lowry.
Aim is to try and get into end-of-season events
“I was down to play the last four and that is still the plan,” said Jamieson, who will be flying the Saltire along with Grant Forrest, Connor Syme, Ewen Ferguson, Calum Hill and Richie Ramsay.
“I am looking forward to seeing if I can play well enough to sneak into one of the last two events in the UAE (the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship in Dubai). So the focus has changed a little bit and, hopefully, I can carry the same form into this week.”
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Seven tees moved up for 'flipping hard' test for DP World Tour players on Donald Trump's course
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
Players will hit drive at 18th in Nexo Championship three sets of tees forward - but it will still play at 586 yards!
Martin Laird described it as “flipping hard” while Calum Hill reckons it is second only to the infamous Hero Indian Open venue in New Delhi in terms of the toughest test on the DP World Tour.
When it staged last week’s Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, the 36-hole cut fell at 14 over par while only two players finished under par on the Old Course at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire.
Colin Montgomerie, the tournament host, made an early exit following rounds of 79 and 82 while David Drysdale dropped seven shots in his first four holes in an opening 84 as he missed the cut as well.
Now, it’s the turn of DP World Tour players to tackle the Martin Hawtree-designed course and, unsurprisingly, precautionary measures are being taken by tournament organisers for the $2.75 million Nexo Championship, which starts on Thursday.
Unlike last week’s first leg of a double-header at the Menie Estate venue, crosswinds are not expected to be a major issue due to the wind set to blow from a different direction. It will see the majority of the holes play either into the wind or down wind.
Nonetheless, with a breeze forecast to be a mix of moderate or fresh, the decision has been taken to move six tees - the second, third, fourth, 12th, 16th and 17th - up by one set of tees while the elevated one at the 18th will be three sets forward, reducing it from 651 yards to a mere 586 yards.
“It’s spectacular - but it’s flipping hard,” observed Laird, a four-time PGA Tour winner who, on his first DP World Tour appearance since the 2018 Genesis Scottish Open, is among a 14-strong Caledonian contingent that also includes KLM Open winner Connor Syme.
It was no surprise that Storm Floris forced the spectacular Donald Trump-owned course to be closed on Monday and, with the wind still blowing hard on Tuesday, Laird didn’t even tackle one of the holes in his first practice round.
Martin Laird catches a ball on the practice range prior to the Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire | Ross Parker/Getty Images | Ross Parker/Getty Images
“I was saying to my caddie today that they need to get the tees right and, purely for pace of play, they have to move some of them up,” added the 42-year-old. “On some holes, even if you hit a good drive, you are hitting long irons into small targets with 25-30mph crosswinds, so it almost gets a bit unplayable.
“I don’t know how they set it up last week or how the weather was, but I saw the scoring with a 14 over cut. That just shows you what this place is capable of as I have never seen a 14 over cut in my life.”
Hill, who won the Joburg Open earlier in the year, paid a visit here along with Connor Syme and Grant Forrest a few weeks back to get themselves prepared for this week’s home assignment. “It was on a day when it was 10mph and 20 degrees, so it felt quite straightforward,” reported Hill. “Then you arrive Monday and it looks much trickier.
“The difficult thing is it’s not like some links course where you get a bit of leeway. Here it’s fairways or bushes and it’s quite penal. You’ll have a lot of reloading. It’s very strong off the tee and the greens are slightly upturned, so you have a lot of run-offs. So, if you get it wrong, it could be like ping pong. I think I started triple bogey and double bogey. I didn’t know where I was the first few holes. But it was still good fun and nice to see the course.”
The intended yardage for this week had been 7,439 yards, but it will now play around 270 yards shorter. Under a newly-announced initiative with title sponsor Nexo, the player who shoots a new course record this week will win $10,000 and, for that to officially count, it has to be on a layout that is no more than 300 yards of the total yardage.
“It’s demanding off the tee and even the holes you have straight into the wind and even the crosswind ones, too, there are a few well-positioned bunkers at the 270-300 mark,” observed Hill. “It depends how friendly they want to be. Do they want to give you a chance of getting past the bunker or is it more strategic?
“The tenth is an awkward hole. You can go for the green, but it’s a bit mental. I’ll play it as a three-shotter. It can get away from you. There are a few holes that look narrower than they are and then they open up when you get there. You just have to keep it in play.”
DLF Country Club, home of the Hero Indian Open, is widely regarded as the toughest test on the DP World Tour. “It’s not quite as extreme as India,” said Hill. “It’s the most extreme in that you hit the fairway or you’re in the munch. It’s not far off India, mind. But, in India, you don’t get the 30mph winds out there. Ask me again on Sunday!”
Daniel Young, the newly-crowned Farmfoods Scottish Challenge champion, has played the course more than most people in the field, the exception probably being Aberdonian David Law. “I have no idea,” he replied to being asked what he thought the scoring might be like. “But I think after last week they might go cautious to begin with and maybe ramp it up a bit over the weekend.
KLM Open winner Connor Syme pictured at Trump International Golf Links | Ross Parker/Getty Images
“On a lot of those elevated tee shots in these cross winds, it is so difficult to keep the ball down and just get it in play. Otherwise you are going to be scrambling in the dunes and you could easily lose a ball let alone have your work cut out just to get it back in play.”
Jordan Smith, who sits 15th on the European Ryder Cup points list, heads the field, with Spaniard Adrian Otaegui defending the title, though the event was called the Scottish Championship when he triumphed at Fairmont St Andrews in 2020.
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Connor Graham happy to scrap "week off" to make Open debut
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
Blairgowrie teenager set to be inspired by Paul Lawrie as he wears his logo at Portrush
It was due to be his only “week off” in a busy summer schedule but Connor Graham doesn’t mind that it has now been scrapped. Not when he’s heading to Royal Portrush in a fortnight’s time to make his major debut in the 153rd Open Championship.
It was mission accomplished for the 18-year-old from Blairgowrie as he joined Lee Westwood, Daniel Young, Angel Hidalgo and Jesper Sandborg in securing spots through Tuesday’s Final Qualifier at Dundonald Links.
Graham’s appearance in the Claret Jug event comes just three years after he won The R&A Junior Open at Monifieth Links and, in the interim, he became the youngest-ever player to compete in the Walker Cup.
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'Very impressed' - Luke Donald's verdict on Bob MacIntyre stepping up Ryder Cup bid
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
European captain had been tracking Scot’s stats before his US Open runner-up finishLuke Donald, the European Ryder Cup captain, was confident US Open runner-up Bob MacIntyre had a big performance in him in the battle to be on his team at Bethpage Black after closely watching his stats this season.
MacIntyre, who made a winning debut in the biennial match under Donald’s captaincy in Rome in 2023, jumped into one of the six automatic spots up for grabs on Long Island in September after finishing second to J.J. Spaun in the season’s third major at Oakmont last month.
The eye-catching effort came at the perfect time for MacIntyre, who will now be looking to cement his position in the standings when he defends the Genesis Scottish Open title this week before heading back to Royal Portrush, where he tied for sixth on his major debut six years ago, for the The 153rd Open next week.
Bob MacIntyre is congratulated by Jon Rahm after winning his singles in the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome | Getty Images
“Very impressed,” said Donald, speaking ahead of the first of those events at The Renaissance Club, of how MacIntyre has performed since Italy, where he leaned on Justin Rose in his opening match before going on to pick up two-and-a-half points from three, including a singles success against Wyndham Clark, the US Open champion at the time.
“I think he's really adapted his game to the US. Obviously, when you make that transition from playing mostly in Europe to playing over there, it is more difficult. The fields are deeper. It's harder. But he was still very consistent and I was watching his stats quite a lot.
“Even from when he qualified in Rome to where he was before the second place in the US Open, his stats were quite a bit better. He's been very consistent. As I said, it's harder to break out in the US and win tournaments. He already won twice last year. He won in Canada and won here. “As I said, I saw the improvement in statistics and it was only a matter of time before he had a really, really good week and he almost pulled it off.”
Does Donald, who is bidding to join Tony Jacklin as the only European captain to win home and away against the Americans, see a maturity in MacIntyre, both as a player and a person?
“Well, hopefully the Ryder Cup in Rome had a positive effect on him,” added the world No 1. “I've seen it go both ways. Sometimes people play Ryder Cups and they understand that maybe they're not quite good enough to be a part of what a Ryder Cup represents.
“But I think Bob, even though he didn't quite have his best game on Friday and was really fighting to find it, especially on the greens, he got a lot out of it. Two and a half points out of three. I think it helped him really grow as a golfer and give him the belief that he could perform with the very best.”
Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka are the others in automatic Ryder Cup spots heading into this week’s $9 million Rolex Series event.
European captain Luke Donald and his players, including Bob MacIntyre, pose with the Ryder Cup following their win in Rome in 2023 | Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Rasmus Hojgaard, Ludvig Aberg, Justin Rose, Viktor Hovland, Thomas Detry and Matt Wallace are next on the points list as the qualifying race enters the closing stretch, with Donald set to announce his team on 1 September.
“Two massive weeks, the two biggest weeks left really before qualification ends,” said Donald of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open. “There's obviously five or six weeks left to go. These are big weeks against the strongest fields so you want to see the top guys play well and there's obviously going to be some guys that are pretty much staked a claim for their place already in the team. But there's a few spots definitely open and these weeks are big for those guys.”
Is he braced for some sleepless nights towards the end of the qualification period? “Maybe,” he said with a smile. “The week of the Ryder Cup will be plenty of sleepless nights. I think having gone through it already once, I feel pretty comfortable where we are with the preparation.
“We have a great team around us. We're in a good spot right now, so not too many sleepless nights, just really watching and seeing how the guys perform.”
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The 2025 Scottish Young Professional Championship - Crieff Golf Club / Monday 7th July 2025
The 2025 Scottish Young Professional Championship takes place tomorrow at Crieff Golf Club, with the leading Assistant Professionals in Scotland competing for the historic prize.Defending champion Jordan Sundborg will open play at 8:00am.You can follow tee times and results on the PGA tournament website https://pgagbi.bluegolf.com/.../pgagbi25270/pairings.htm...
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It's Gullane and not Kentucky! Richie Ramsay gets in Scottish Open
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
Brown’s emotional BMW International Open win gets two Scots into their home Open
Gullane or Kentucky? That was the question Richie Ramsay was waiting to be answered after finishing his week’s work in the BMW International Open in Munich. Thanks to Dan Brown landing the title an hour and a half or so later, the Edinburgh-based player will be making a short drive to East Lothian on Monday to prepare for the Genesis Scottish Open instead of facing a nine-hour flight to Atlanta to get ready for the ISCO Championship.
Due to Brown already being in the field for the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, the spot set aside for the BMW International Open winner has been freed up, meaning that Forrest, who had been first reserve since the entry list was published a week past Friday, will now be in the star-studded line up under his own steam.
That means the last invitation, which has traditionally been set aside for the next highest Scot on the DP World Tour category list will no longer be required by Forrest and go instead to Ramsay, meaning the home contingent in the $9 million Rolex Series event will increase to six players as the duo join defending champion Bob MacIntyre, Connor Syme, Calum Hill and Ewen Ferguson.
“I’d owe them one,” joked Ramsay as he waited to see if either Brown or Jordan Smith would do both him and Forrest a favour, with Brown coming out on top to land an emotional win - a close friend passed away last week - after the English pair found themselves in a two-horse race on the back nine at Golfclub München Eichenried.
“It’s frustrating,” added Ramsay, who finished joint-19th alongside Scott Jamieson, of the position he found himself in with regards to his next assignment. “I was saying to someone there ‘I’m either playing in Gullane next week or Kentucky (laughing), which I have never had anything like in 16 years out here.”
If a non-exempt player had won in Bavaria - both Kiwi Kazuma Kobori and Spaniard David Puig made last-day charges - Ramsay would have found himself in an awful position knowing that a withdrawal on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday would have ended with the same result for him as far as the Genesis Scottish Open was concerned.
“I would be beyond upset,” he said of that scenario unfolding if he was on the other side of the Atlantic. “You want to hold out for as long as possible, but there gets a point where if you get to Kentucky too late you are not going to be able to put up a good show.
“I basically know that I want either Dan Brown or Jordan Smith to win as I know they are exempt whereas Kobori isn’t. It would be an ideal scenario if both Grant and I got in, but I’ve just got to go and enjoy the free Haribo and see what happens (laughing).”
Englishman Dan Brown pictured during the final round of the BMW International Open at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried | Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
No doubt earning him a handshake from the two Scots when they get to East Lothian, Brown landed a second DP World Tour win after signing off with a bogey-free 66 for a 22-under-total and a two-shot success over Smith, who finished runner-up for the second year in a row.
“The last two days I just kept thinking about him to try and take my mind off it. I suppose he was there with me and it made it a little bit easier,” said Brown of the inner turmoil he faced in the tournament.
Forrest, who had a disappointing weekend in Germany, is not only based at the home venue for the Genesis Scottish Open but he is also The Renaissance Charitable Foundation Ambassador. As a local man, he has been delighted to see the event distribute more than £1 million in charitable funds since the tournament was first held at the East Lothian venue in 2019.
“Hopefully, yeah,” he said of playing in the Rolex Series event again on his own doorstep. “I didn’t even realise I wasn’t in until last week. I just assumed from where I finished last year, which was about 20 spots different from where I am at the moment, that I would be in.
“But fingers crossed that I do get in. Obviously it’s my home course and home event. Yeah, it is a massive week for us and I am really hoping to play and, hopefully, turn my season around a bit.”
Meanwhile, Martin Kaymer, who thrilled the home fans with a closing 67, is hoping his presence in the Munich line up along with fellow LIV Golf players Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed is a sign of things to come as the game bids to repair its current fractured status.
“If you see the big picture and focus on what the people want to see and what the tournament director would like to have, I do believe that when Sergio plays and myself here in Germany it will add value to the event and hopefully we are going to get there one day by the CEOs getting together and finding a good solution for all of us,” said the two-time major winner.
Talks between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund are ongoing after a Framework Agreement was signed just over two years ago, though things have gone a bit quiet on that front in recent weeks.
“As you can imagine, there are so many rumours and so many hopes,” added Kaymer, who captains Cleeks on the breakaway circuit. “But I would be the wrong guy to ask. I can only tell you what I hope will happen.”
Lee Westwood, one of Kaymer’s LIV Golf colleagues, won The Open Final Qualifier at Dundonald Links last Tuesday to secure a spot at Royal Portrush, where he’ll be teeing up for the 28th time in the Claret Jug event while, at the same time, making his 93rd major appearance.
“Lee is one of the best players England has ever had,” observed Kaymer of the former world No 1 and Ryder Cup legend. “He had some good finishes on the LIV tour as well. Is he capable of winning (The Open)? Absolutely. And anything can happen in links golf.”
As for his own game, Kaymer is starting to see light at the end of the tunnel after some issues with his game and injury problems as well. “I’m playing good,” he said, smiling. “I’ve practised a lot the last few weeks. I’ve had a good time with my coach and the consistency is back. I’ve hit more fairways than the previous years and there are no injuries holding me back now and now we can go forward again.”
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In-form Scot sets up chance to secure automatic HotelPlanner Tour promotion
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
Rory Franssen lands his second win of season on Tartan Pro Tour
Rory Franssen teed up a chance to secure an automatic step up to the HotelPlanner Tour after landing his second win of the season on the Tartan Pro Tour.
The St Andrews-based player carded a bogey-free four-under 68 in the closing circuit to land a two-shot success in the Cardrona Classic presented by Martin Gilbert at Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa near Peebles.
Franssen also won the Blairgowrie Perthshire Masters presented by Petrasco earlier in the year and will secure his HotelPlanner Tour card straight away if he can add a third title triumph in a single season on the Scottish circuit.
Rory Franssen shows off the trophy after winning the Cardrona Classic presented by Martin Gilbert | Tartan Pro Tour
The chance for players to secure the instant step up to the DP World Tour’s feeder circuit was set up through the Tartan Pro Tour becoming an official Satellite Tour this year.
“It’s an amazing opportunity,” added Franssen. ”It’s great that it has become a Satellite Tour for the HotelPlanner Tour. It’s unreal for the guys who are only playing in Scotland.”
In addition to a top prize worth £4315, Franssen also secured a spot in the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A, which is taking place this year at Schloss Roxburghe near Kelso.
“That’s a nice bonus,” he admitted. “I’ve played in that the past few years at Newmachar. It’s a great event and I am buzzing to be in it again.”
Having opened with rounds of 69 and 65 before adding his polished final-day effort, Franssen finished with a 14-under total as he won on this occasion from both Graeme Robertson and Chris Maclean.
“Yeah, it was a great win,” he said. “It was a tough week weather-wise, so I was ecstatic to pull through in the end.
“It was great to finish with a bogey-free round. I find it quite a stressful course off the tee. It is fairly wide but, if you miss the fairway, it’s a lost ball.
“I didn’t check the leaderboard but, when I posted my score and thought about how windy it was, I reckoned I’d be in with a good shout.”
On the back of his eye-catching start to the season, Franssen tops the Order of Merit ahead of three-time HotelPlanner Tour winner heading into next week’s Downfield Masters presented by Piper Sandler.
“I think my putting has improved, I think that’s probably the biggest difference this year,” he admitted. My friend James Blake who caddies for New Zealander Kazuma Kobori on the DP World Tour bought a putter on ebay.
“It was too short for him, which was lucky for me. I went in for a putter fitting at Auchterlonies and the guy said ‘listen mate, I could sell you a L.A.B. putter but the one you’ve got is probably better for you’.
New putter has ‘kind of freed me up’
“That gave me the belief that it was the right stick for me. Ever since then, it has kind of freed me up and I’ve just been working on trying to get a smoother stroke, which has been going well so far.
“I’m usually a pretty streaky putter but this season it has become a lot more steady and from inside eight feet it’s been great, which is a nice change.”
The Cardona event on the circuit run by Paul Lawrie was sponsored by former Aberdeen Asset Management CEO Martin Gilbert.
“I played with Martin in the Dunhill Links a few years ago when he was partnering Marc Warren,” said Franssen, who is looking forward to playing in this week’s Gleneagles Pro-Am. “He’s done so much for Scottish golf and it is great that he was sponsoring this event on the Tartan Pro Tour.”
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Paul Lawrie is confirmed for the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship
A Home Hero Returns!
1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie is confirmed for the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Scotland!
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Scott Henry is Scottish Par 3 Champion
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
‘Borderline embarrassing’ - Scottish golfer on fighting back to become winner again
Scott Henry is a winner again after going to hell and back as he battled two separate injuries and feeling that his game had become “borderline embarrassing”.
The 38-year-old, who was one of Scotland’s brightest prospects when he won the Kazakhstan Open on the Challenge Tour in 2012, returned to winning ways when landing the Scottish Par 3 Championship at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre on the outskirts of Aberdeen.
In the latest event on this season’s Tartan Pro Tour, Henry carded rounds of 52-52-51 for a seven-under-par total, which was matched by Chris Maclean following scores of 51-54-50.
In a sudden-death play-off on the superb Devenick Course, Henry came out on top with a birdie at the first extra hole to pick up a cheque for £4,500, admitting it was great to feel as though a nightmare period in his career was finally over.
“I’ve worked really hard to get some sort of fitness back and be able to have my golf back to a decent standard again, so I’m delighted, to be honest,” said Henry after joining Mark Young (Montrose Links Masters) and Rory Franssen (Blairgowrie Perthshire Masters) on the list of early winners on Paul Lawrie’s circuit this season.
Two injuries were ‘working against each other’
“I can’t take you through all of it as it is too painful to go back over, if I am being perfectly honest,” he admitted in reply to being asked how difficult things had actually got for him after making around 80 appearances on the DP World Tour and more than 170 on the Challenge Tour, which has now been rebranded as the Hotel Planner Tour.
“I had an issue with my back and I got a poor diagnosis with that early on and I ended up injuring my leg as well, so I had two injuries working against each other over quite a period of time without realising how serious both were.
“So I just couldn’t recover and my game went from being always at a very strong standard to just not being able to compete. For pretty much most of my pro career, the lowest level of standard was the top end of the Challenge Tour competing to get my main tour card.
“Then I got basically to the point where I couldn’t even compete within Scotland, so it feels great to be getting closer to what it should be, though it will never quite be the same physicality that it used to be.
“I’m older now as well and it is nice to feel that I can compete properly again. I have felt better physically for the last year, but it’s just taken time to get my game up to a decent standard.”
Scot twice came close to winning on DP World Tour
Henry, who recorded two second-place finishes - both in the Madeira Islands Open - on the DP World Tour, added: “If I knew it was going to take as long as it has, I probably wouldn’t have done it because I’ve lost a lot of money doing it. I’ve put in a hell of a lot of effort and had a lot of failed rehabs.
“Those were pretty painful experiences when I wasn’t getting the issues fixed and, honest to god, the standard my golf felt was borderline embarrassing. It was genuinely that bad.
“So to have the mental fortitude to grind away at it and be able to get my game to a much better standard now is great, though I still have a long way to go.”
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Connor Syme Wins KLM Open
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
Exclusive: Scotland's latest DP World Tour golf champion opens up on win - and causing dad more recovery grief.
Scot praised by his caddie and fellow Dundee resident for keeping calm head in KLM Open
When you are recovering from a triple hernia operation, it might not be the best time to be jumping about a bit more than you probably should be, but Stuart Syme can surely be forgiven.
It’s not every day, after all, when you get to experience the joy and pleasure of seeing the person you’ve introduced to golf as a youngster then taught for so long landing what will be one of the most popular wins in the sport in 2025.Connor Syme wouldn’t have been crowned as the KLM Open champion on Sunday, landing his breakthrough win on the DP World Tour in the process and becoming the 11th first-time champion on the circuit this season, if it hadn’t been for his old man.
A promising player himself when he was coming through the ranks at Ladybank, Syme snr was the PGA professional at Dumfries & County Golf Club when Connor took up the game and, once his son had got hopes of becoming a footballer out of his system, golf then became his main focus.
Connor Syme shows off the trophy after winning the KLM Open on Sunday at The International Golf Club in the Netherlands | Tom Dulat/Getty Images
Under his dad’s guidance as a coach after the family had moved back to Fife when Stuart took up ownership of Drumoig Golf Centre, Syme won the 2016 Australian Amateur Championship before then landing a first success in the professional ranks in the Turkish Airlines Challenge in 2019.
Since last year, Syme has also been working with Jamie Gough, the Fife-based brother of former Scotland and Rangers defender Richard, but there was absolutely no denying who was probably the happiest man in the world on Sunday afternoon.“I had a brief chat with my dad before I went in to see the volunteers,” Syme told The Scotsman as he reflected on his brilliant breakthrough win on the main tour after landing a two-shot success at The International in Amsterdam. “He was absolutely buzzing as he’s obviously been with me since the start of my golf career and taught me the game.
“He’s had a triple hernia operation and I was saying to him that I hope you’ve not caused any damage, but he said that he was jumping up and down more than he probably should have been (laughing). It is so cool.”
Over the past few years, Syme had seen Bob MacIntyre, David Law, Ewen Ferguson, Grant Forrest and Calum Hill all land maiden DP World Tour title triumphs while seeing some good opportunities to do likewise - he’d held a 54-hole lead on three previous occasions - agonisingly slip from his grasp.At no point, however, did that look as though it was going to happen again after the 29-year-old hit the front in tough conditions in the Netherlands with a brilliant bogey-free 66 in Saturday’s third round then signed off with a rock-solid 70 that contained just one dropped shot to win by two shots.
“I felt really calm for the most part,” admitted Syme of his polished performance on the last day. “Obviously there was a lot of nervous energy about, but I was quite pleased how I was able to put that into the right areas, I suppose, and just focus on the task at hand.
“I definitely felt different this time than when I had been in contention in the past. Probably more like Wales when I first had a really good opportunity to win back in 2020 (in the Celtic Classic. I thought I was going to win there and obviously I didn’t.
“To have felt those emotions then, I was very cautious that it could happen again and things could all change so quickly. So, every time I found myself thinking about potentially winning on this occasion and what it could feel like, I kept reminding myself of that.
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Tartan Pro Tour - Portlethen Classic
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftartanprotour.co.uk%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAYnJpZBEwOTRWSGFCT0NLVDZ3QThsagEeScnuPI59P8kBmN3dLeZmhtbAk7kuQ6shVj9OLyfJaxUob2EnoayehrHl8pc_aem_RvWN06rSljZQsBl8lVl8QQ&h=AT1yje_ivmegnD8hZLPzyOJc1BCfp--X1Keqnei8M6oxY3F1OjQOO28-hcZ7o4hpEmR1Yuvrnd-57XXwpoeOMyXZYghRboospDCnpbZPA0-vB81QHvlGK-UekiJf6FnTuyCz&__tn__=H-R&c[0]=AT0xRHkPQp-Nm2OEO8dpg45Qn_mQSg4272JqPK_x5Lbx5oUv3gKg_vGkr7nkjSWNqyaeNk_HybvQV5KiQkh9DahNxaSWNMQ2XD4RNQ_IMttuNFD2UrD0ZghJp7erPTwTYkgzamiXhjxWAkggZEaSnFGHBVIarHaiyCPR02TDz0RTopkpPyR5Qtz1jEvBdD8Apm5RrwKWIf4-IQ2aAMbSMTT-CBuA88Zm
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Scottish golf club honours long-serving PGA pro in unusual way
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
16th at Uphall has been named ‘Gordon Law’ in recognition of his 35 years at West Lothian club
A well-known Scottish PGA professional has had a hole named after him in recognition of his 35-year service at one golf club.
The 16th at Uphall Golf Club in West Lothian will now be known simply as ‘Gordon Law’ after the man who was widely known as ‘Mr Uphall’.
In his time flying the flag for the club, Law won the Scottish PGA Championship, Northern Open and PGA Professional Championship. He also played in the PGA Cup on three occasions and made the cut in the 125th Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1996 as a qualifier.
Gordon Law left Uphall Golf Club earlier this year after serving as the club’s first PGA professional for 35 years | Contributed
At one time, the ‘Lawman’ held the course record at no less than seven venues at a time when the Tartan Tour’s leading lights included record money-winner Colin Gillies, who passed away recently.
Law decided it was time to take a well-deserved break earlier this year and now his legacy at Uphall will be remembered by both members and visitors alike.
“Without Gordon in charge, the club would not have been able to organise some of the most amazing events we have held over the years, such as his well-known Pro Days and invitational Silloths,” said the club in an email to members. “During several of these Pro Days, Gordon would host the renowned ‘nearest the pin at 16 with a left-handed club` after a few beers!
“Off the course, Gordon's influence, passion, and commitment to our club were critical to the construction of our new clubhouse after the old one was destroyed by a fire in 2021. He put together and chaired the project team that resulted in the amazing new building we have today.
“The club committee thought that these accomplishments and efforts should now be acknowledged as a token of appreciation and, so the decision to rename our iconic 16th hole was taken following a number of conversations and recommendations.
“It will now be known as 'Gordon Law', This has been included on our new tee sign and will be on our new scorecards.”
The 16th hole at Uphall will now be known simply as ‘Gordon Law’
Law was Uphall’s first professional, with his big shoes having been filled by Sam Craigon, who has been put in place by Craig Donnelly Golf.
“When I sent Gordon a picture of the tee sign, his response was very typical of him and his sense of humour,” said the club’s match secretary, Stephen Jamieson.
"He replied by saying: ‘It’s really good, though I don’t really require any legacy…and I wonder how long it will take to be defaced!”
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Staysure PGA Seniors Championship Qualifier
With a £20,000 prize fund at stake, Matthew Cort emerged victorious, finishing at 9-under-par, while Scott Henderson and Cameron Clark both secured T2 finishes at 7-under.As a result, Matthew and Scott have earned their qualification for the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, taking place from 31st July to 3rd August 2025. They will join Cameron in Aberdeen after he secured his place with victory at the Senior PGA Professional Championship a week previously.
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Rory Franssen records impressive three-shot success in second event of new season
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
'I retired the driver and 3-wood' - winning formula at Blairgowrie on Tartan Pro Tour
Rory Franssen put a frustrating 2024 campaign behind him to land an impressive win in the Blairgowrie Perthshire Masters presented by Petrasco - the second event of the new Tartan Pro Tour season.
The 26-year-old, who is attached to Auchterarder but is currently based in St Andrews, followed opening rounds of 71-65 with a closing 69 for an 11-under-par total to land a £4500 top prize by three shots.
Former Scottish Boys’ champion Will Porter and Glenbervie’s Fraser Moore shared second spot as Franssen added to a breakthrough win on Paul Lawrie’s circuit almost exactly two years ago at Fairmont St Andrews.
“Yeah, it is always a nice way to start the year,” he admitted of landing an early success, with anyone who can claim three title triumphs this season earning automatic promotion to the Hotel Planner Tour.
Asked what had been the secret behind his victory, he replied laughing: “To be honest, I just retired the driver and 3-wood after the first round! I didn’t have a 2-iron in the bag, but I put it in for the 3-wood for the second and third round.
“I was in play more so had more looks basically. It was really firm and rolling out loads, so you could get away with a 2-iron and still have lots of looks if you got it close.”
Second-round 65 contained eight birdies
Franssen’s second-round effort on the Lansdowne Course contained eight birdies, including five in six holes on the front nine, while he carded five birdies on the final day and three bogeys, including one to finish.
“Not until the last, to be honest, and I made a bit of a mess of it,” he said when asked when he thought it was going to be job done on this occasion. “I never find it comfortable coming down the back nine, but once I was on the fringe and had a few putts for it I was able to relax a bit.”
For the second year running, two Hotel Planner Tour cards are up for grabs on the circuit and Franssen looks as though he is determined to make up for lost time last season.
“This is my third full season as a pro, though I missed half a season last year with a wrist injury,” said the former Scotland international. “I missed seven events on the Tartan Pro Tour, so my goal is to try and stay healthy for the full season this year and give it a good go.
Winner ‘still finding feet’ in paid ranks
“The more you play professional, probably the more comfortable you become with it. I think I am still finding my feet in terms of that and playing for money is obviously different. Yeah, just gradually starting to feel more comfortable with it all, I would say.”
Franssen, who grew up in Inverness, dabbled a bit on the Alps Tour at the start of his professional career but is feeling a lot happier trying to progress his career on home soil.
“It’s a great chance,” he said of the opportunities that are provided on the Tartan Pro Tour since it became an official Satellite Tour for the Hotel Planner Tour. “It’s such a well-run tour. Yeah, it is just brilliant as the chance is there for you.
“Every year there seems to be something else added in, which is more incentive to stay in Scotland and play. Yeah, you should just play this tour if you are at this level - there is no point in travelling when you have a brilliant tour on your doorstep.”
Tartan Pro Tour ‘getting better and better’
Englishman Mark Young won the season-opening Montrose Links Masters presented by Montrose Port Authority last week as way more players from the south of the border start to turn their attention to the Scottish circuit.
“They are obviously catching on to how good a tour it is,” noted Franssen, who does a bit of caddying at Kingsbarns Golf Links when he’s not playing. “It is going to be getting better and better so you need to keep trying to produce your best golf and hopefully it pays off.”
Each picking up £2875, Porter started birdie-birdie in last round and went on to add three more gains before dropping his sole shot of the day at the last while Fraser Moore was out in 30 in his second round and started the closing circuit with an eagle.
Former Challenge Tour card holders Liam Johnston and Jack Doherty shared fourth spot on seven under while Tain amateur Sean Kennedy gave a great account of himself by finishing in the top ten.
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Bob MacIntyre makes big schedule call in his bid to ignite Ryder Cup push
By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
Scot set to play seven weeks in a row in US after change of plan for Charles Schwab Challenge
Bob MacIntyre has committed to a marathon seven-event stretch in North America as the Ryder Cup hopeful bids to ignite his season.
After playing in the Truist Championship, one of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events, and the PGA Championship back to back, MacIntyre had been due to take this week off.
However, the Oban man is teeing up along with last weekend’s Wanamaker Trophy winner Scottie Scheffler in the Charles Schwab Challenge, which starts in Fort Worth on Thursday.
MacIntyre will then play in next week’s Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio before defending his RBC Canadian Open title in Toronto the following week.
The US Open, the season’s third major and being held on this occasion at Oakmont in Pennsylvania, follows straight after that and then he’ll play in The Travelers Championship, another of the $20 million Signature Events, in Connecticut as well.
After all that, the left-hander will then have a two-week break before defending the Genesis Scottish Open title back on home soil at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian.
Scot sits 52nd in FedEx Cup Standings
MacIntyre sits 52nd in the FedEx Cup Standings, having teed up in 12 events on the US circuit this year and recording two top-ten finishes. He tied for sixth in the WM Phoenix Open and ended up ninth in The Players Championship.
He talked during last week’s PGA of America major, though, about how he was feeling “behind” where he wants to be at this stage of the season and a disappointing weekend at Quail Hollow after being in the top ten at the halfway stage wasn’t what he was looking for either.
After being part of a winning team on his debut in the event in 2023, Bob MacIntyre is determined to be part of Europe’s Ryder Cup defence at Bethpage Black in September | Andrew Redington/Getty Images
However, the fact he’s playing in big event after big event means the Scot just needs one really good week and even a couple of decent ones to achieve his goals for this year.
The top 70 in the FedEx Cup Standings after the Wyndham Championship at the end of July/beginning of August get into the FedEx St Jude Championship - the first FedEx Cup Play-Off event.
It’s then the top 50 on the points list who qualify for the BMW Championship in Maryland before the leading 30 progress to The Tour Championship in Atlanta towards the end of August.
Oban man’s main goal is to make Ryder Cup team again
His main 2025 goal, of course, is to play for Europe in a second successive Ryder Cup and that’s what will be driving him more than anything else over the next five weeks and all the way through to the end of the qualification battle at the conclusion of the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry the same week as the Tour Championship in the US.
In other events this week, two-time winner Colin Montgomerie is being joined in flying the Saltire by Stephen Gallacher and Greig Hutcheon in the $3.5m Senior PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda in Maryland.
And, on the DP World Tour, it’s a Soudal Open assignment at Rinkven International Golf Club in Antwerp for Ewen Ferguson, Calum Hill, Connor Syme, Grant Forrest and Scott Jamieson.
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Kevin Duncan smashes Deeside Course Record with an incredible round
Deeside Pro Goes LowCongratulations to Deeside Golf Club Professional Kevin Duncan who just scored an incredible 57 (-13) off the medal whites tees playing with member Ben Smith.An absolutely amazing achievement having submitted a general play round as he keeps a handicap at the club to keep competitive. The previous lowest round was 60 around the old course before the redesign a few years ago.Previous lowest handicap differential recorded by the USGA under WHS was around -10 - Kev’s differential for his 57(-13) was a staggering -12.9 reducing his handicap from +2.1 to +4.5. This kind of reduction would normally take years to achieve at this level of handicap.Kevin mainly works in the Deeside Pro shop but has played as a tournament professional in the past on the EPD Tour around Europe with one victory. He plays the North East Alliance every year and is always one of the main contenders each week.Well done Kev
Scottish GolfUnited States Golf Association - USGAThe PGAGuinness World Records
