Trish Johnson set for Tartan Tour debut

TRISH Johnson, an eight- times Solheim Cup player, has entered this season’s opening event, Paul Lawrie Ladies’ Tartan Tour run by the PGA in Scotland.

Picture: Johnston Press

Also heading for Fairmont St Andrews next month are talented Welsh duo Becky Brewerton and Amy Boulden as the 2014 circuit gets set for a flying start.

Johnson will be easily the biggest name to have played on the fledgling Tour, the 48-year-old having recorded more than 20 victories in her career. She was also a member of the European team that won the Solheim Cup for the first time at Dalmahoy in 1992.

Other early entries for the St Andrews event on 14-15 April include two former Scottish champions in Laura Murray and Heather Stirling as well as Lisa Shervill, a former English title-holder.

Elsewhere, two experienced campaigners – Carnoustie’s Fraser Mann and Paul Wardell of Whitekirk – joined forces to win the final event in the PGA in Scotland’s Winter Series with a better-ball 61, ten-under, at Montrose Links.

And, in the opening round of the Links Golf Cup in East Lothian, four-handicapper Colin Gardner set the pace after amassing 34 points on Gullane No 2.