Heather MacRae successfully defends WPGA Championship title

But coach Craig Lee is denied by Chris Maclean in Royal Dormoch Masters

Heather MacRae with the trophy after her victory in the WPGA Championship.

Heather MacRae made a successful defence of the WPGA Championship but her coach, Craig Lee, was denied by Chris Maclean in his bid to make it a double celebration in the latest Tartan Pro Tour event.

MacRae had Lee on her bag when she was crowned WPGA champion for a second time last year just days before she was due to undergo major cancer surgery, but the pair had separate assignments this time around.

It was mission accomplished for MacRae as the 36-year-old shot rounds of 70 and 75 at Kedleston Park in Derby for a three-under total and a one-shot win over another former winner, Keely Chiericato.

Chris Maclean claimed his first win as a professional.

Alison Nicholas, the 1997 US Women’s Open champion and another past winner, finished a shot further back in third. “I had no idea what was going on with the scores until I came up 17 and I saw that me and Keely were tied, but I made two nice birdies to finish and I was happy about that,” said MacRae. “I’ve won quite a few trophies, but I’ve never managed to defend one successfully before. It’s not as emotional as last year, but I’m still delighted to win as it’s one of the tournaments I really look forward to playing in.”

Competing on the Tartan Pro Tour, Lee lost out to Maclean in a play-off at the second extra hole after the pair had finished tied on five-under after two rounds in the Royal Dornoch Masters. Maclean, the overnight leader after an opening 66, carded a second-round 69 while Lee added a 67 to a 68 as the pair finished a shot ahead of Jack McDonald (68-68). “I’m delighted to get my first win as a professional at such a prestigious course,” said Maclean, a 25-year-old from Clydebank. “I tried to throw it away after losing a ball at the third today then taking a poor three-putt at the 15th.

“But I managed to get there in the end, thankfully, and I am really appreciative to Paul Lawrie for giving me and other Scottish players these opportunities.”

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