KIRKPATRICK TOP
SCOT OF THREE
IN FLORIDA

Edinburgh exile David Kirkpatrick claimed the leading Scot honours in the NGA Professional Tour Winter Series event which was decided over 36 holes at Stoneybrook East Golf Club, near Orlando, Florida.
David, a Scotland amateur international cap in 1992 and 1993 but based in Florida for a number of years, had rounds of 73 and 69 to share 27th place on two-under-par 142.
Slaley Hall assistant professional Mark Brand, one of the two Banchory-born players in the field, came 35th with 75 and 69 for level par 144.
If the pay-outs on last week's tournament are any guide, Mark should pick up just over $900 prize money.
Rookie pro Paul Cormack (Inchmarlo Golf Centre) came joint 97th in the field of 132 with 78 and 73 for 151.
At the top of the leaderboard, Americans Jeff Corr (66-70) and Kevin Hall (65-71), had matching totals of eight-under-par 136.
There was no indication on the NGA Tour website as to why this, the fifth event on the Winter Series schedule, had been cut from the standard 54 to 36 holes.
Incidentally, there was a famous name from the not too distant past in the field – Ty Tryon (pictured above). If you remember, Ty became the youngest player to earn a US PGA Tour card when he came through the Final Qualifying School almost exactly five years ago when he was 17.
Ty left high school to join the US Tour but he lost his card after a year and has been trying in vain ever since to get it back. He did not get past Stage 1 a month or two ago.
Ty Tryon, still only 22, is to be found now on the mini-tours of America. His only win as a professional was on last year’s NGA Pro Tour Winter Series.
This week he scored 73 and 74 to finish joint 66th on 147.
Whatever he had five or six years ago, Ty has lost it … and can’t find it any more, no matter how hard he tries.
Which is sad - and a sobering thought for all the young amateur bucks out there who think they are the next Tiger Woods.

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