Rafferty and Weir tee-off at Duddingston

Published on 26/06/2012 01:33

FORMER Ryder Cup player Ronan Rafferty and one-time Tartan Tour kingpin Russell Weir are joining the Optical Express PGA Tour regulars when the fourth event of the season tees off today at Duddingston.

With a field of more than 100 players, it is the biggest so far, which vindicates the decision by the PGA in Scotland to take over the running of the events season.

“I’m delighted to see such a large number of entries,” admitted Michael MacDougall, secretary of the Gleneagles-based organisation. “Duddingston will provide a different test for the players to the ones that they have faced in the three previous events and it will be interesting to see who emerges as the winner this time around.”

West Linton’s Gareth Wright, winner of the first event at Dundonald Links, and Elie-based David Patrick, who topped the leaderboard at Brora and Tain, are both in the field for the latest 36-holer. So, too, is former European Tour Rookie of the Year Scott Henderson, the man on form on the Tartan Tour after three wins in quick succession on the Scottish circuit. Others taking part include Neil Fenwick, who finished in a tie for 17th in the Scottish Hydro Challenge.