Paul O'Hara turns professional

Colville Park's Paul O'Hara, first reserve to this year's GB&I Walker Cup team, has turned professional after clearing the Stage 1 hurdle of the European Tour Qualifying School process.

After making the decision he pulled out of the Lanarkshire team for today's SGU area team tie against Angus at Kirkhill.

O'Hara thus joins older brother Steven in the professional ranks (Steven had a final round of 64 in the European Tour's Austrian Open today).

Paul lost to David Law (Hazlehead) in the 36-hole final of this year's Allied Surveyors Scottish amateur championship at Royal Troon. He topped the SGU Order of Merit by a considerable margin from James Byrne, having also won the Edward Trophy at Glasgow Gailes and the Sutherland Chalice at Dumfries.

Paul, who will celebrate his 23rd birthday this coming week, was named as a reserve for the GB&I Walker Cup side. Paul is pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency during the Scottish amateur championship.