Shepherd holds his nerve to claim back-to-back Scottish student men's titles

By STEW FOWLIE

Stirling University’s Laird Shepherd, the defending champion, saw off stiff competition in a tense final round to claim his second Scottish Student stroke-play championship at Moray Golf Club's links course at Lossiemouth

At the start of the fourth and final round over the Old Course, Shepherd was one stroke ahead of the field, thanks to a morning 68 (-3), with team-mate Rob Foley one shot back. 

Shepherd was to come under sustained pressure throughout the final round, both from Foley and from St Andrews’ Alexander Wilson who posted the best afternoon round of 69.

Nevertheless Laird proved his poise and determination to come out on top after an up-and-down final round of 72 (+1). A bogey, birdie, bogey start set the tone and this form continued over the remaining holes, with only eight pars on his scorecard at the end of the round.

None of these would have been sweeter, however, than the par four on the 18^th, in front of a strong crowd and in full knowledge of what was required. Shepherd fired in an excellent approach from the left side of the fairway to a tight back-left pin and kept his nerve to get down in two for a famous victory.

Shepherd said later: "It is a great championship and a real highlight of my season to come up to Moray. The courses here are superb and the whole club contributes to a fabulous event. It was tough out there today and I’m delighted to have closed out the win.’

Shepherd also contributed to a Stirling victory in the team stroke-play competition, with an eight-round extracted total of 422, five shots ahead of St Andrews III (427), with St Andrews I a further shot back on 428.

The 96^th Scottish Student Championships continue tomorrow with men’s team and women’s individual match-play tournaments.

For full results please visit https://www.golfbox.dk/livescoring/tour/?language=2057#/competition/1249748/leaderboard   or scroll down a bit on this website