Jamie McLeary wins St Andrews Classic on Tartan Pro Tour

Jamie McLeary shows off his new Enoksen watch, which was part of his prize for winning the St Andrews Classic on the new Tartan Pro Tour. Picture: Kenny Smith

Jamie McLeary added a Tartan Pro Tour triumph to his CV after coming out on top in a hotly-contested St Andrews Classic.

Sixteen players were within two shots of the lead as the last group boarded the 12th tee on the New Course before McLeary secured a two-shot success.

The 39-year-old, who had started the day two shots off the lead after an opening 67 on the Jubilee Course, matched that effort in the second circuit to finish on nine-under-par.

McLeary, a two-time winner on the Challenge Tour, including the Scottish Challenge in 2009, was out in level-par before following birdies at the 11th and 12th with another one from 20 feet at the last.

"I didn't hit it as well today as I have in some of the other events, having not made the most of playing well in them," said McLeary, who picked up a top prize worth £4,000. "But I didn't make any mistakes so kept it in play and also putted quite well.

"After an early bogey, I birdied the sixth, the hardest hole on the course, to get back in it and I knew I was one ahead when I hit a wedge to 20 feet at the last."

Set up by Paul Lawrie to provide playing opportunities for Scottish-based professionals, the circuit concludes next week at Rowallan Castle.

"I've really enjoyed them," said McLeary, who won both the Scottish Youths Championship and St Andrews Links Trophy as an amateur, of events that have been played at Carnoustie, Royal Dornoch and Pollok, as well as the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre. "It's not often that we get to play on that quality of golf course, so it's been great."

Former Scottish Amateur champion Chris Robb, who shared the overnight lead with amateur Connor McKinney, finished joint-second alongside Jack Doherty.

Seven players ended up on six-under, including McKinney, with Lawrie finishing joint-11th on five-under

John Henry, who finished on on four-under alongside last week's Pollok Open winner Neil Fenwick, is still out on in front in the battle to top the order of merit and secure a spot in next month's Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

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