Robb adds to run of success as rookie pro

LAST year’s Scottish amateur champion Chris Robb (Meldrum House) from Banchory continues to add to his list of top five and 10 finishes in his rookie pro year - but he must have been annoyed with himself after his latest joint fifth position at the German PGA’S developmental tour’s Open Madaef in Morocco.

Robb shot 73, 70 and 75 for two-over-par 218 - six behind the winner of the 5,000 Euros first prize, Frenchman Mathieu Decottignies who shot a closing round of 74 for 212 and a twostroke victory margin.

The Scot started his final round badly with bogeys at the third and fourth but got back to par for the round with birdies at the ninth and 10th. Robb then dropped four shots over the last six holes with a double bogey 6 at the 14th and bogeys at the 13th and 18th. A birdie at 16th could not repair the damage which cost him at least second or third place.

Ross Cameron from Ellon finished tied 24th on 224 with scores of 74, 74 and 76. The outward half was his undoing, requiring 40 shots for the first nine holes.

Meanwhile, Carluke’s Craig Ronald headed the 10 qualifiers for the Titleist & Footjoy PGA club professionals’ championship by three strokes with a four-under-par round of 68 in the Scottish qualifying round at Blairgowrie’s Lansdowne course.

The only other player in the field of 40 with a sub-par score was runner-up Alan Stuart (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) with a 71.

The other Scottish qualifiers who will head for the 72-hole championship at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club in June were: Mark Loftus, Ian Taylor and Craig Everett with 72s; Jonathan Cliff, Graeme Brown with 73s, and Martin Huish, Paul Wardell and Patrick Walker on the 74 mark.