Exciting finish on Tartan Pro Tour in battle for Scottish Open spot

Order of merit goes to wire in Rowallan Castle Championship

Sam Locke, winner of the Carnoustie Challenge, is one of four players in the hunt for a spot in next week's Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club. Picture: Kenny Smith

It's all to play for in the battle for a spot in next week's Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open heading into the final round of the last of the main events on the new Tartan Pro Tour.

The berth in the $7 million Rolex Series event at The Renaissance Club will go the player who tops the new Scottish circuit's order of merit, which is going right down to the wire in the Rowallan Castle Championship.

Danny Kay, who lost to David Law in the final of the 2011 Scottish Amateur Championship at Western Gailes, set the pace in the 36-hole event as he raced to the turn in 29 en route to a seven-under-par 64.

But the main quartet vying for that European Tour start in the circuit's biggest event by far since it came out of lockdown are all within three shots of the lead at the Ayrshire venue.

Sam Locke, who sits third in the standings helped by his win in the first event at Carnoustie, is Kay's closest challenger on 65, which saw him storm home in 30.

Chris Robb and Neil Fenwick, who are second and fourth respectively on the order of merit, are both just a shot further back, with order of merit leader John Henry also handily-placed on 66.

The order of merit on the circuit set up by Paul Lawrie to provide playing opportunities for Scottish-based professionals is based on money won.

Henry, who claimed the Scottish Par-3 Championship in the second of the six counting events, has amassed earnings of £8,328 to lead by £803 from Robb, with Locke on £7,525 and Fenwick on £6,111.

The winner at Rowallan Castle will pick up £4,000 out of a total prize pot worth £19,000.

Meanwhile, East Lothian-based DJ Russell has been named as the Great Britain & Ireland captain for the 2022 PGA Cup at Foxhills in Surrey.

Birmingham-born Russell, who designed the two courses at Archerfied Links, was one of Ian Woosnam’s vice-captains for the 2004 Ryder Cup at The K Club in ireland.He was also on the backroom staff at four other Ryder Cups.

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