Comeback thwarts Jamie’s bid for the top spot

Disappointment for golfer

Old Ranfurly’s Jamie Stewar t wound up second in the Scottish Boys Open Championship following a stunning fightback from eventual winner John Paterson in the final round at Monifieth Golf Links.

Stewart, of Bridge of Weir, had been five strokes ahead prior to the final round, only for Paterson to storm through the field with a four-under-par 67 to just edge ahead of him by two strokes.

Stewart ’ s closing round of 74 put paid to any dreams of him lifting the silverware. Stewart, last year’s Scottish Boys’ Order of Merit champion, was only one stroke behind as he stood on the 18th tee but his hopes of a birdie to tie were dashed when his drive landed in a fairway bunker.

Meanwhile, Paterson finished on one under par in this week’s windy conditions, with his final round highlighted by eagles at the first, after he drove the green, and a 60 feet putt at the eighth.

The New Club St Andrews player even had the luxury of missing from six feet for what would have been another eagle at the last.

Paterson said: “I just wanted to go and post a score and give them something to think about.

“It would have been unfortunate for me after missing the putt on 18, I thought that would be costly, but I felt my putting was a big key to my success this week.

“I’ve never had two eagles in a round before, so it was a good time to do it in the final round.”

The new date for the tournament had seen the field produce the highest number of entries in 12 years.

Elsewhere, Peebles’ Darren Howie finished third on two over, his hopes undone by a double bogey at the 12th, with Eric McIntosh of Bruntsfield Links completing a Scotland top four a stroke further back.