Top start to Rory’s Tartan Pro Tour
Golfer keeps positive momentum going after St Andrews win
Perthshire golfer Rory Franssen has wasted little time in swinging into action on the Tartan Pro Tour this season.
Franssen, of Auchterarder Golf Club, celebrated his first professional win at the tail end of last month by clinching victory at the Fairmont St Andrews event.
Played over the Torrance course, the 24-year-old carded impressive rounds of 68, 70 and 70 to sign for a finishing total of eight under par.
That was a score one clear of England’s Russell Chrystie and two ahead of both Jack Mcdonald and Daniel Kay.
Keeping the positive momentum flowing, Franssen this week recorded another productive finish at the Portlethen Classic, held from May 29-31. He signed off for a finishing score of 11 under par on Wednesday afternoon thanks to consistently solid rounds of 68, 68 and 66.
He secured joint third position with Eric Mcintosh, while Greg Dalziel finished second on 12 under par and the tournament was won by Kieran Cantley on 14 under par.
Bradley Neil, of Blairgowrie Golf Club, ended the competition in sixth place after rounds of 70, 68 and 66.
Franssen, who spent five years on a golf scholarship at the University of Missouri, enjoyed a distinguished amateur career and, in 2021, was invited to play in the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Championship alongside some of the world’s best.
In 2022 he reached the final of the South African Amateur Championship before losing 4&2 in the 36-hole showdown to Kyle de Beer.
This season Franssen is focusing on impressing on home soil.
He had said: “I turned pro last year and I was basically focusing on the Tartan Tour events and went to the Q-school but unfortunately didn’t make it.
“This year I’ll play just the Scottish tour again, and the goal is to get a Challenge Tour card that way.”
The Tartan Pro Tour is a Scottish-based development tour for male and female golfers.
Owned by Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Open champion, it provides tournament playing opportunities to challenge players over some of the country’s best courses.
The objective is to provide a stepping-stone for aspiring tournament professionals to reach the highest level.