Watt wins by five as Farrell just holds on at Cardrona

Inverallochy’s Marc Watt and Jillian Farrell from Cardross conquered a challenging Macdonald Cardrona course to claim the silverware in the Stephen Gallacher Foundation’s flagship event.

Watt won the boys’ trophy at the Borders venue with a brilliant closing 68, while Farrell picked up the girls’ vase in a wire-to-wire victory.

After opening rounds of 71 and 73, Old Ranfurly’s Aidan O’hagan held a two-shot lead in the boys’ event heading into the final circuit, with Watt four off the pace. But, with 13-year-old O’hagan having to settle for a closing 78, the north-east youngster produced a classy last-round performance.

He carded five birdies in signing off with an impressive four-under-par salvo for a one-under 215 total – the only player to break par. Watt won by five shots from Kirkhill’s Lewis Irvine, with O’hagan two further back in third.

“This win is right up there with my best in boys’ events,” said a delighted Watt. “I felt I played solid the whole weekend. My driving was fairly decent, which I thought was a big factor as the thick rough was very penalising.

“My iron play in the last round was also good and, as a result, I took advantage of the par-5s, birdieing all four. “

News of Watt’s win was applauded by former Open champion Paul Lawrie. “Huge congrats,” he wrote on Twitter. Told about that, Watt said: “I’ve known Paul for a good few years but it is always nice to get a mention from an Open champion.”

Farrell’s victory made amends for her missing out on a place in the final of the Scottish Women’s Championship at Royal Aberdeen. The 17-year-old lost to eventual winner Connie Jaffrey in the semi-finals on Friday before maintaining her good form after travelling down to Peebles.

She was in the driving seat after opening with rounds of 73 and 76 and, despite a closing 80, won by two shots from defending champion Jasmine Macintosh (Hazlehead) with Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore) third on 232.

“It’s nice to win this event,” said Farrell, whose dad, Robert, is the PGA pro at Cardross. “I played well in Aberdeen and also in the first two rounds at Cardrona.”