Mcintosh is back in the pro ranks

Euan Mcintosh, the 2018 Scottish Amateur champion, is back in the professional ranks after securing a full card for this season’s Staysure Tour, writes Martin Dempster.

It was mission accomplished for the Turnhouse player as he finished jointsecond in the senior circuit’s Qualifying School final at pest an a golf resort in Portugal.

Mcintosh, who returned to the amateur ranks specifically to get his game sharpened up for a crack in the over-50s’ game, rounded off a polished performance with a closing 67 for a 12-under-par 272 total.

“The strange thing is, I’m sad in a way to be leaving the amateur ranks,” he admitted. I’ve got a lot of friends, because I play for Scotland, and now I’m not going to be doing that ever again. It’s great, but there’s a bit of sadness there.”

Mcintosh will join Paul Lawrie, Andrew Oldcorn and Gary Orr in flying the Saltire on the circuit and is hoping to make his presence felt.

“For the last three years, I’ve play a lot of highend amateur events with guys that are going to be winning European Tour events,” he added.

“It’s been a really good grounding, these young guys have been amazing. They’ve pushed me on to get my golf to the level it’s at now. Without their competitiveness, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

● Craig Howie sits four shots off the lead after an opening five-under 67 in the Limpopo Championship - the opening event of the 2020 Challenge Tour season - in South Africa.