The Scotsman

Hutcheon lands DP World Tour starts with play-offs win

- By MARTIN DEMPSTER

Greig Hutcheon is set to tee up again on the DP World Tour at the age of 49 after securing some exciting rewards for winning The PGA Play-offs in Ireland.

The Torphins Golf Club pro landed the title after beating Englishman Adam Keogh in a play-off at the end of a dramatic third and final round at PGA National Slieve Russell.

Hutcheon, who led by one after opening with scores of 70 and 69, shaved the hole with a birdie attempt at the 17th before converting a knee-knocker for par at the last as he signed off with a 70.

That matched Keogh’s seven-under total after the Woodhall Spa player had stormed up the leaderboar­d with a best-of-the-day 67.

The first play-off hole was halved in pars before Hutcheon claimed victory thanks to a nice up and down from the left side of the green at the next.

In monetary terms, the win was worth £3,500, but the three-time Challenge

Tour winner now has a packed diary for 2022.

First up is a start in next week’s Betfred British Masters at The Belfry while he’s also secured other DP

World Tour outings in the BMW PGA Championsh­ip, Irish Open, Cazoo Open, ISPS Handa World Invitation­al, Cazoo Classic and Hero Open.

"I’ve managed to win this a couple of times beforem, but I’m about to enter my 50th year so this was one last final swansong and I’m delighted,” he said.

Hutcheon has made just 100 appearance­s, 29 of which came in 2000, on the main tour, but his last event was in 2017.

In addition, the seventime Tartan Tour No 1 has also earned a trip to Africa for the PGA of South Africa PGA Championsh­ip while he qualifies automatica­lly for this year’s Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team as well.

“It’s a great start to the year – I’ve just got to find some accommodat­ion now for The Belfry,” added Hutcheon.

“I get to play some of the big tour events now which is a little bit daunting at my age but you know what, as long as I can keep fit and keep flexible, I can still hit the ball reasonably well so I fancy I might be able to make a few cuts.”

 ?? ?? 0 Greig Hutcheon won the PGA Play-offs in Ireland
0 Greig Hutcheon won the PGA Play-offs in Ireland

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