Decision to invite Redford is an embarrassing mistake

AN embarrassing mistake has been made with one of the coveted invitations for this week’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. It has gone to young Scot Ian Redford, who simply hasn’t earned the right to be lining up in the European Tour event.

The runner-up in last season’s Scottish Boys’ Championship only turned professional this year. He’s played in four events on the third-tier PGA EuroPro Tour and hasn’t made a single cut. From playing on the Optical Express Pro Tour in Scotland, he’s earned less than £500.

Redford, whose dad, also Ian, played for Dundee United and Rangers, is a nice young lad who has, no doubt, been working like a Trojan on his game over the past few months and, one day, I sincerely hope he’s lining up in events like this on a regular basis with a European Tour card in his pocket.

Now, however, he has received a spot that should have gone to a player who is further up the ladder. The likes of Jamie McLeary, Jack Doherty and Andrew McArthur, for instance. For them, all Challenge Tour players, a rare European Tour appearance would be a chance to enjoy a career-changing week.

At least Callum Macaulay has now been added to the invitation list, but another more worthy recipient of the one handed to Redford would have been Duncan Stewart, a winner on the PGA EuroPro Tour this year.

Redford isn’t to blame. Young professionals like him send letters or emails to tournament promoters all the time. It lies with whoever made a decision that will have angered many, and rightly so.