McNicoll earns £500 as winner of PGA pros

championship Scottish qualifier at Ladybank

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie Golf Links) earned the top prize of £500 at Ladybank Golf Club today for heading the 12 qualifiers who go forward from the Titleist and Footjoy PGA pros championship Scottish qualifier to the main event at Little Aston Golf Club, Sutton Coldfield from July 24 to 27.
McNicoll finished two clear of the field with a one-under-par score of 70.
Ross Leeds (Archerfield Links), Jonathan Porteous (Craigielaw) and Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills) finished joint second on 72 and earned £250 each.
Ian Taylor (Drumpellier) and Stephen Gray (Lanark) collected £125 each for sharing joint fifth place on 73.
Scott Henderson (Kings Links) lost to Graham Forbes (Mar Hall), Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) and Chris McMaster (Downfield) in a sudden death play-off in which four players were competing for the last three places.

TITLEIST AND FOOTJOY PGA PROS CHAMPIONSHIP SCOTTISH QUALIFIER
Ladybank GC, Fife
QUALIFIERS
par 71. Yardage: 6,821
70 K McNicoll (Carnoustie Golf Links) £500.
72 R Leeds (Archerfield Links), J Porteous (Craigielaw), P McKechnie (Braid Hills) £250 each.
73 I Taylor (Drumpellier), S Gray (Lanark) £125 each.
74 M Patterson (Kilmacolm), G Wright (West Linton), A Cooper (Newburgh).
75 G Forbes (Mar Hall), G Fox (Clydeway Golf), C McMaster (Downfield).
FAILED TO QUALIFY
75 S Henderson (Kings Links) eliminated after a play-off.
76 C Goodwin (Affordable Golf), C Haugh (Fereneze), N Huguet (Musselburgh).
77 G Hillson (Winterfield), J Treasurer (Loch Ness), K Zeynalov (Portlethen).
78 D-R Nicol (Dundonald Links), R Harrower (Boat of Garten), M Urquhart (Nairn), A Hutchison (Douglas Park), C Adam (Harburn).
79 R Munro (Duddingston), L Gaughan (Bathgate), D Williamson (Kirkhill), P Malone (Braid Hills), R Fyvie (Baberton), A Stuart (Paul Lawrie GC), C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst).
80 G Robertson (Pumpherston), M Mackenzie (Edzell).
81 P McKenna (Paul Lawrie GC).
82 N Cameron (Blairgowrie), R McConnachie (Peterculter), I Graham (Crow Wood).
83 S Milne (Ballumbie Castle).
84 I Lowdean (Murrayfield)
85 S McLaren (Blairgowrie)
86 A McDonald (Dunnikier Park).
88 C Condren (Braehead), C Steven (Strathclyde Park)
90 P Edgcombe (Forrester Park).
NRs S Clelland (Hayston), C Tierney (unatt), A Caira (Niblick69).

Keir faces busy July schedule after Ladybank success

OFFICIAL SUMMARY NEWS RELEASE
Keir McNicoll lined up a busy July when he won the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship Scottish qualifier at Ladybank Golf Club.
The Carnoustie Golf Links professional already knew he would be involved behind the scenes when the Angus venue hosts this year’s Open.

But now, just a week later, McNicoll, pictured, will be playing in the £78,000 grand final which is being held at Little Aston Golf Club near Sutton Coldfield, between 24-27.
McNicoll won at Ladybank by two shots ahead of Ross Leeds (Archerfield Links),  Jonathan Porteoius (Craigielaw Golf Club) and Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills Golf Range).
He carded a round of 70 which made him the only player to go under par in difficult conditions.
McNicoll will be hoping to improve on his previous appearance in the final two years ago when he missed the cut at The Oxfordshire.
“The Open is the week before the final, so I don’t see myself getting too much practice in, but I plan to play at Little Aston,” he said.
“It’ll be nice to have a break down there after such a busy week at Carnoustie.“The Open finishes on the 22nd and I’ll be looking to get a practice round in on the 23rd! So it’ll be a quick turnaround, but fun as well.”
McNicoll admitted a good start helped him to victory at Ladybank.
“It was a windy, blustery day, most of the guys found it difficult chipping on the greens which were really firm,” he explained.
“That was the hardest part. But I went under par quite early which helped me. I got to three under par but then went into cruise control and made a couple of mistakes.
“But anything under par was good so I was quite sensible after that.”