Ronnie Clark lands second success in Scottish Seniors' Open

More than 40 years after his last visit to Arbroath, Ronnie Clark enjoyed a victorious return to the Angus venue as he claimed a second Scottish Seniors’ Open title triumph.

Erskine's Ronnie Clark was delighted to get his hands on the Scottish Seniors' Open trophy for a second time after his win at Arbroath. Picture: Scottish Golf

There seemed little chance of the Erskine player repeating his 2018 victory at Irvine when he found himself eight shots off the lead with three holes to go in the second circuit on Thursday.

However, a birdie-eagle-birdie finish hoisted him into contention and, in tough last-day conditions, Clark reeled in overnight leader Paul Moultrie.

A closing 69 for a seven-under total gave Clark a three-shot victory over the Royal Troon man after he had to settle for a last-day 76 folllwing opening efforts of 63-67.

“It feels terrific,” Clark told Scottish Golf. “I had a pretty difficult season last year, so to come out and win it this year is pretty special. You start to feel you’ll maybe not win again, but I played pretty solid.”

Despite a double-bogey 6 at the third, Clark had closed within two shots of Moultrie at the turn and, helped by an eagle-2 at the 15th, he’d got his nose in front coming down the closing stretch.

“It was gusting up to 40mph out there at times, but you just have to stay patient,” added the champion, who is coached by former European Tour player Peter Whiteford. “I had a double bogey early on, but , n conditions like this, you know you’re not out of it.

“The key was 15, where I drove it to nine feet and holed the putt for an eagle. But, even when you’re two or three shots ahead going into the final few downwind holes, all sorts of things go through your head.

“It doesn’t get better than this. The win in 2018 was in a play-off, and I think that experience helped over the last couple of holes today. I’m 61 now and you don’t get many chances to do this, so you have to take them when they come along.

“I last played Arbroath in the Scottish Boys in 1979. It’s been a great week up here and a real test.”

Englishman Stephen Jensen, the 2021 winner, closed with a 68 to finish on three-under in a group that included John Mathers (Haggs Castle) and Nick Robson (Royal Aberdeen).

Elsewhere, Paul Lawrie maintained his hit form on the Legends Tour as he opened with an eight-under 64 to lead the Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship at Trevose.

The brilliant effort in an event hosted by Ian Woosnam came a few days after Lawrie had been pipped in a play-off by Australian Richard Green in the Jersey Legends event.

On the PGA EuroPro Tour, Lawrie’s nephew, Sean, secured a top-10 finish along with fellow Scot Greg Dalziel in the IFX Payments Championship at Studley Wood.

In an event won by Englishman Jake Ayres on 16-under, Lawrie (69) and Dalziel (71) ended up just three behind in a share of sixth spot.

Paul McKechnie, meanwhile, finished as the top Scot in the PGA Professional Championship at Slaley Hall, sharing fifth spot behind England’s Matthew Cort, who beat compatriot Daniel Whitby-Smith in a play-off.