PAUL McKECHNIE WINS FOR THIRD TIME, EARNS £1,500

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com Braid Hills' Paul McKechnie won for the third time on the Optical Express Pro Golf Tour today at Whitekirk Golf Club, East Lothian. In windy conditions, Paul (pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency) added a 70 to the 72 which had seen him trail overnight leader Mark Loftus (Adam Hunter Golf) by three shots. His two-under-par total of 142 saw him earn the £1,500 first prize, one stroke ahead of host club pro Paul Wardell  who shot 70 and 73 for 143 and collected a £900 reward. Joint third on 144 were John Henry (Clydebank and District) (70-74) and Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) (73-71). They earned £637.50 each. Peter Latimer (St Andrews New) was the leading amateur in joint 14th place overall with scores of 78 and 72 for 150. He won a £100 voucher. The total prizemoney amounted to £8000 and extended down to the first 26 players. FINAL TOTALS AND PRIZE MONEY Par 144 (2x72) 142 Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) 72 70 (£1,500). 143 Paul Wardell (Whitekirk) 70 73 (£900). 144 Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) 73 71, John Henry (Clydebank and District) 70 74 (£637.50 each). 145 Kevin McAlpine (Alyth) 72 73, Alan Lockhart (Ladybank) 71 74 (£437.50 each). 146 Lorne Kelly (Pro-Dream) 74 72 (£330). 147 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) 72 75, Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle) 72 75, David Orr (East Renfrewshire) 71 76 (£270 each). 148 Ben Irving (Kirkcudbright) 76 72, Stewart Savatge (Dalmuir) 74 74 ("220 each). 149 Mark Loftus (Adam Hunter Golf) 69 80 (£200). 150 Peter Latimer (St Andrews New) (am) 78 72 (£100 voucher), Graham Rankin (Drumpellier) 74 76 (£190). 151 Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie) 71 80 (£180), Fraser Grant (Ralston) (am) 76 75. 152 Ian Redford (St Andrews New) 78 74, Mark Kerr (Murrayfield) 76 76, Jamie Carver (unatt) 75 77, Chris Currie (Caldwell) 73 79, James McGhee (Duddingston) 71 81 (£150 each). 154 Craig Gordon (Edinburgh CC) 76 78, Steven Duncan (Canroustie Golf Links) 73 81 (£117.50 each). 155 Jonathan Mallon (Sports Academy) 80 75, Lindsay Mann (Carnoustie) 80 75, Carl Thompson (Pikefold) 78 77, Nigel Scott-Smith (Palacerigg Golf Centre) 75 80 (£78.75 each). 156 Michael Patterson (Kilmacolm) 82 74. 157 Campbell Elliott (Haggs Castle) 78 79, Ed Wood (Creow Wood) 79 78. 158 Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) 82 76, Steve Johnson (The Roxburghe) 73 85. 159 Andrew McIntyre (Ranfurly Castle) 79 80. 161 David Roger (Windyhill) 82 79. 162 Barry Campbell (Vale of LKeven) 798 83. NRs Eric Walker (unatt) 81 NR, Eric Ramsay (Carnoustie) 79 NR.