Harper refuses to grouch despite losing out to Doak's top marks in Aviemore

Published on Saturday 17 May 2008 10:33

LOTHIANS golfer Lee Harper was in upbeat mood last night despite missing out on the £45,000 Northern Open title at Spey Valley in Aviemore, writes NICK RODGER.

The Archerfield ace, who shared the lead heading into the closing round, fired a three-under 69 for an 11-under 277 but still finished three shots behind winner Chris Doak who closed with a rousing 66 for 274. Harper, a winner on the PGA EuroPro Tour last season, had kept himself in the title running with a 30-foot putt for birdie on the eighth which had him level-pegging with Doak heading towards the back nine.

But the former Scottish Boys' champion had no answer to his rival's five birdie-blitz on the inward half and he had to settle for the consolation prize of 6000.

Harper, 26, said: "I didn't lose it today, Chris won it very well. I gave it my best shot but it's hard to compete against someone who finishes with a 66. This has been a very good week for me and has proved that I can compete with some of the best players in Scotland. That is encouraging."

Doak, who had already claimed back-to-back order of merit wins on the Scottish circuit this season at Craigielaw and Barassie, made it a hat-trick of triumphs as he won the Northern title for the second time in four years to earn 8000.

Braid Hills pro Paul McKechnie signed off with a 71 to share third on 281 but Edinburgh's former PGA champion Andrew Oldcorn sagged to a 77 and finished down on 292. And despite slipping to a closing six-over 78, there was still a silver lining for Craigielaw's Mark Hillson as he picked up the Bookless Cup as the top amateur.

The former Lothians champion, who will compete in the Welsh Open strokeplay championship at Conwy next week, finished on a 297 in his first event among the Tartan Tour pros.

He said: "It was a bit of a disappointing end but it's nice to go back with some silverware."