Macgarvie storms to four-shot success in St Rule Trophy

RoyalTroon’ sHaz el Macgarvie capped a sparkling performance by car ding seven birdies on the Old Course as she stormed to a four-shot success in the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews, writes Martin Dempster.

Macgarvie, who started the final circuit one shot ahead after opening rounds of 68 and 70 on the New Course, closed with a six-under-par 70 to finish with an impressive 18-under-par 208 total.

England’s Lianna Bailey, last year’s winner, was her closest challenger following a lastday 74, with two of Macgarvie’s compatriots, Dubai-based Alison Muirhead and Chloe Goadby of St Regulus, sharing third spot with two others on 13 under.

It was a timely triumph for Macgar vie, who is the 16th Scot to claim the coveted prize since the event was inaugurated in 1984. The first six players for the Great Britain & Ireland team for this year’s Vagliano Trophy are set to be announced on Monday and, though she wasn’t among five Scots in the initial squad, MacGar vie is now a strong contender for that match against Continental Europe.

On the men’s front, Barassie’s Euan Walker boosted his Walker Cup hopes by signing off with a joint best-of-the-day 66 to finish third in the Brabazon Trophy at Alwoodley.

Walker, winner of the African Amateur at Leopard Creek earlier in the year, signed for an eagle and six birdies as he ended up on seven under, six shots behind Ben Schmidt as the 16- year-old from R otherham became the youngest player to claim the prize.