PHILIP McLEAN LEADS SGU

ORDER OF MERIT

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Peterhead’s Philip McLean, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, has jumped to the top of the SGU Order of Merit standings following his superb joint second place finish at last weekend’s St Andrews Links Trophy.
The Scotland international, winner of the Edward Trophy earlier this season, has opened up a significant gap at the top of the rankings, with Stirling University student Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) in second place after he secured an impressive joint fourth place at the previous weekend’s Scottish Stroke Play Championship. McLean has also leapt 111 places to 291st place in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Leven Golfing Society’s Brian Soutar, who finished runner-up to McLean at Glasgow Gailes in the Edward Trophy, drops to third place, one ahead of Matthew Clark (Kilmalcolm) who had the led the Scottish challenge after the third round of the St Andrews Links Trophy before finishing in 24th spot.
North-east stalwart Bryan Innes is in fifth place in the Order of Merit after earning the silver medal at the Scottish Stroke Play Championship, while former Scottish Boys Champion Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) enters the top ten after his fine showing at St Andrews.
Banchory’s James Byrne is up to eighteenth place in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and retains his place as the leading Scot ahead of his return from Arizona State University. The 21-year-old lines up in next week’s Amateur Championship at Muirfield and North Berwick hoping to emulate the purple patch he enjoyed in Scotland last summer, with back-to-back wins at the Tennant Cup and East of Scotland Stroke Play Championship.
Borders youngster Simon Fairburn leads the way in the SGU Boys Order of Merit looking to secure his fourth win of the season at this weekend’s Junior Tour event at Kilmarnock (Barassie), with Scottish Boys Champion Grant Forrest – fresh from leading Lothians to victory at the Scottish Boys Area Team Championship – hot on his heels in second place.