Golf: Dick turns on the style to land East of Scotland Open

By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Published on 02/07/2012 11:09

KINGSKNOWE’S Allyn Dick savoured his latest Scottish Order of Merit title triumph – then insisted it “won’t be the end of the world” if he misses out on a second cap later in the season.

The 33-year-old produced an impressive performance to win the Golf in Dubai East of Scotland Open at Lundin. Victory seemed unlikely when Dick found himself three-over after his opening six holes over the Fife course on Saturday morning. But, after salvaging a level-par 71, the former Lothians champion then played “as good as I ever have” to card a superb 63 in his second round.

It was illuminated by a run of five straight birdies from the 13th, giving Dick a two-shot lead at the halfway stage.

That advantage was stretched to three following a third-round 71 and the two-time Scottish Mid-Amateur champion never looked like being caught over the final circuit. He led by five shots for most of that but after a three-putt birdie, coupled with a grandstand finish by Baberton’s defending champion Paul Ferrier, his winning margin was three shots. “I’m over the moon to join some of the great names on this trophy,” he admitted after finishing on eight-under 276. It was Dick’s fourth success in a Scottish Order of Merit event and also his fourth in successive years. “I can’t think of anyone in recent seasons who had recorded four Order of Merit wins in four years,” said Dick.

Dick played for Scotland in the Home Internationals two years ago but lost his sportscotland funding this year after being told he was “too old” to be part of the national set-up.

But another win or two in the coming weeks could put him in the reckoning for the four-cornered event again at Glasgow Gailes in mid-August. “It’s an easy thing for me to influence in the next three weeks as selection is based on a strict criteria but it won’t be the end of the world if I don’t make the Scotland side again,” he said.

Ferrier birdied three of his last four holes – he left an attempt to make it four hanging in the jaws at the last – to sign off with a 67. It was a splendid title defence from the 23-year-old, who reached the semi-finals in the Amateur Championship and is now off to Lancashire to try and qualify for The Open tomorrow. “I would love to have won here again but I’m happy to have come close,” said Ferrier. Glen’s Neil Henderson finished in a four-way tie for third on 281, while Dunbar’s Zander Culverwell was a shot behind with a superb 65. Silverknowes star Graham Robertson also finished in the top ten on 283.