Greg McBain bags bundle of joy in Paul Lawrie Invitational at Deeside

FATHER-to-be Greg McBain delivered a timely £5,000 cheque to his wife Kirsten after securing the best win of his career with victory in the Paul Lawrie Invitational at Deeside.

One behind overnight leader Greig Hutcheon at the start of the final day, the 28-year-old Aberdonian signed off with a two-under-par 68 to finish the 54-hole event with a seven-under total of 203. It earned him a one-shot victory over Edinburgh-based Welshman Gareth Wright, who finished eagle-birdie to climb above the tournament host as well Robert Arnott and Paul O’Hara after they’d all posted 205 aggregates. “Kirsten is expecting in February, so she’ll be happy,” admitted McBain.

A former Scottish Young Professionals’ champion, McBain reckoned the key moment had come at the par-4 ninth. There, the eventual winner laid up but still made 3 whereas Wright, who drove over the back of the green, took 5 and Hutcheon, who found the water, signed for a double-bogey.

McBain edged ahead for the first time when he holed from around 15 feet for a birdie-2 at the short 14th then found the side door with a testing par putt at the next. His drive almost went in at the 17th, a sporty par-4, and, although he missed the eagle putt, it meant he took a two-shot lead at the last.

“Driving is one of my strong points so I felt fine standing on the 18th tee,” insisted McBain after finding the fairway then the middle of the green to leave himself a straightforward two-putt for the title.

Dollar’s Scott Borrowman closed with with a best-of-the-day 65 to finish as the leading amateur on 208.