Golf: Allyn Dick’s Lundin win ensures Order of Merit triumph

By Martin Dempster
Published on 02/07/2012 00:44

KINGSKNOWE’S Allyn Dick chalked up his fourth Scottish Order of Merit title in four years with a comfortable three-shot win in the East of Scotland Open at Lundin.

Two clear at the halfway stage in the Golf in Dubai-sponsored event – he’d been three-over after six holes on Saturday but recovered to card a best-of-the-weekend 63 in the second round – the 33-year-old closed with two 71s for an eight-under-par total of 276.

Baberton’s Paul Ferrier, the defending champion, finished strongly with three birdies in his last four holes for a 67 to claim second spot, but Dick eased to victory despite a three-putt bogey at the 17th.

It’s the fourth season in a row that the two-time Scottish Mid-Amateur champion has won an Order of Merit event, having followed a Cameron Corbett Vase victory in 2009 with back-to-back wins in the Newlands Trophy at Lanark.

“I can’t think of anyone in recent years who has won order of merit titles four years in a row,” said Dick. “I’m over the moon about that and also delighted to have chalked up my first title on a links.”

On-form Ferrier, fresh from reaching the semi-finals in the Amateur Championship, fell just short but put up a sterling defence of the title.

“I had a frustrating weekend of putting but I’m happy to have given myself a chance again,” said the 23-year-old, who now heads to Hillside tomorrow for Open qualifying.