David Law out to defend title – but this time as a pro

DAVID Law will find the tables turned on him when he launches his defence of the Aberdeen Asset Management Northern Open title at Meldrum House today.

Twelve months ago, the Aberdonian claimed the coveted crown as an amateur, the first player to achieve the feat since Sandy Pirie, a Hazelhead clubmate, 40 years earlier.

Law has since joined the professional ranks and now finds himself competing against a clutch of invited amateurs in what is one of the Tartan Tour’s flagship events over the next four days.

“The Northern Open will 
always be very special to me as the first pro tournament that I won,” said the 21-year-old, who spreadeagled the field with a third-round 62 and went on to secure a two-shot victory with a 14-under-par total of 266

“Now that I’m a professional myself, I really hope that I can repeat what I did here last year and defend my title.”

Among those bidding to emulate Law by coming out on top against a field of seasoned PGA Scotland campaigners are three members of Scotland’s title-winning side in the recent Home Internationals.

Kirkhill’s Paul Shields was one of the top-points scorers for the Scots at Glasgow Gailes and he is being joined on the outskirts of Aberdeen by Ross Bell (Downfield) and Fraser McKenna (Balmore).

Banchory’s Greig Hutcheon, the 2010 winner at the same venue, spearheads the Tartan Tour contingent, which also includes on-form duo Graham Fox (Rowallan Castle) and Gareth Wright (West Linton).

Fox is bidding to do the double after landing the Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship last month, while Welshman Wright has his sights set on following up a recent success in the Glenmuir British Club Pros Championship.

The field for the 72-hole event also includes two female professionals – Heather MacRae from Gleneagles Hotel and Gullane’s Emma Fairnie.