Hutcheon finishes T6 on Algarve despite another slow start

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Greig Hutcheon has a problem to solve before the 2016 Tartan Tour campaign tees off. Playing on the Algarve Pro Tour this winter, the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre player has been at least two over par after the first two or three holes.

He did it again today (Sunday), bogeying the first two holes at Castro Marim Golf Club near the Spanish Border in the last event of the Algarve Pro Tour winter schedule.

Hutch recovered enough to post a three-under-par 69 (37-32) and finish tied sixth on five-under 139, six shots behind the two Portuguese players, Joao Ramos (65-68) and Tiago Cruz (68-65), who tied on 11-under 135 before Ramos won a sudden death play-off.

There's nothing wrong with the Scot's game in general as he demonstrated by covering the last seven holes in four under par with an eagle 3 at the par-5 12th and birdies at the 13th and 17th, He had four birdies in all.

James Steven, despite a double bogey 6 at the first, matched Hutcheon's 139 total with a round of 71.

Jordan McColl (Kingsbarns Pro Academy), the leading Scot after a first-round 67, slipped back to a tied 19th finish with two double bogeys contributing to a 73 and 140.

Amateurs Lewis Reid (Tantallon), 79-76, and Benjamin Henderson (Deeside), 79-80, finished on 155 and 159 respectively.

ALGARVE PRO TOUR

Castro Marim GC.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

par 144 (2x72)

133 J Ramos (Por) 6568, T Cruz (Por) 68 65 (Ramos won play-off)

135 R Pugh (Wal) 66 69, C Hinton (Eng) 64 71.

SCOTS' TOTALS

139 G Hutcheon 70 69, J Steven 68 71 (T6)

140 J McColl 67 73 (T19).

155 L Reid (am) 79 76 (T47)

159 B Henderson (am) 79 80 (53rd)