Golf: Dunton win makes up for heartbreak

The 21-year-old overturned a three-shot deficit heading into the final round to claim a two-shot victory in the final SGU Order of Merit event of the season.

It was his first triumph on the national circuit and helped him get over the disappointment of missing out on this year’s Home Internationals.

Dunton, who faced South Africa in a Test match at Prestwick earlier in the year, looked set to make the team for Glasgow Gailes. But he was leapfrogged by five people after deciding not to play in the Newlands Trophy at Lanark in the middle of July.

“It was a poor mistake on my behalf,” admitted the Ellon man. He was delighted, therefore, to finish his season on a high by winning in East Lothian, where he overhauled long-time leader James Hendrick from Pollok over the final 18 holes.

The turning point came at the tenth, where Dunton holed from around 100 feet for a birdie and Hendrick double-bogeyed after missing from five feet. “It was an absolute monster,” said the winner, who closed with a 69 for a five-over total of 277.

He had a three-shot cushion playing the last after Scotland star James White (Lundin) saw his challenge ended by a double-bogey at the 17th.

Hendrick had a 74 to finish second, one ahead of White (70) and the fast-finishing  Anthony Blaney. The Liberton lad shot a 67 to finish two ahead  of host-club hope Michael  Bacigalupo (70).

Tantallon’s Shaun Gordon and Neil Henderson of the Glen also claimed top-ten spots.