Golf: Jamie Savage wins play-off

CAWDER’S Jamie Savage birdied the third extra hole in a play-off at Lundin to win the East of Scotland Open, leaving Fifer Scott Crichton as runner-up in a Scottish Order of Merit event for the second weekend running.

Crichton’s closing 67 in blustery conditions saw the Aberdour player, also pipped by Barassie’s Jack McDonald in the Tennant Cup at Killermont, post the clubhouse target of one-over-par 285.

Eighteen-year-old Savage matched that after recovering from a sluggish start to his final round by bagging an eagle and four birdies coming home in his 71.

But after setting the pace with a 65 on Saturday, Scott Stewart-Cation’s hopes of making it a three-man shoot-out for the Golf in Dubai-sponsored title were dashed as The Duke’s player put his second shot out of bounds at the last.

After the first two play-off holes were halved in pars, Savage, the son of Dalmuir pro Stewart, holed a 12-footer at the third to secure his first SGU Order of Merit success.

“It’s a pretty good feeling and the key was keeping big numbers off my card in tough conditions,” said the new champion.

Next up on the Scottish amateur circuit is the Cameron Corbett Vase at Haggs Castle, where Crichton tasted victory two years ago.

“I’m playing pretty decently at the moment and, hopefully, a win isn’t far away,” he said.