Swede success for Christofer Blomstrand in Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A
Tartan Tour duo make most of oportunity to secure another start on HotelPlanner Tour in Ireland
Christofer Blomstrand led a Swedish 1-2 in the Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A as Tartan Pro Tour duo John Vogelpohl and Michael Stewart both used their weeks at SCHLOSS Roxburghe near Kelso to secure another start on the Hotel Planner Tour.
Blomstrand, who had been out in front since carding a ten-under-par 61 in the second round, signed off with a 68 at the Borders venue to finish on 19 under par, winning by two shots from Adam Wallin after his compatriot closed with a best-of-the-day 62.
It was Blomstrand’s second victory on the DP World Tour’s feeder circuit, having landed a breakthrough triumph in the Finnish Challenge just under two years ago. The 34-year-old is the first Swede to win the Scottish equivalent.
“It sounds amazing,” admitted Blomstrand of hearing his name as the new champion. “I was here last year but had to withdraw on the Wednesday because I had a thumb injury. So I was always looking forward to being back here this week and it’s always nice when you play good as well. It’s been a fantastic week for me.”
Vogelpohl, an American who is attached to Gleneagles and is leading this season’s Tartan Pro Tour Order of Merit, finished joint-third on 15 under along with Englishman David Horsey and Spaniard Javier Barcos Garbayo.
The top-ten finish secured a spot for Vogelpohl in the Irish Challenge, which starts at Killeen Castle on Thursday, with Stewart also earning that welcome opportunity after he finished joint-eighth on 12 under.
“A little bit deflated, to be honest, with a couple of late bogeys,” admitted Stewart of his last-day 69, “but my game was really, really good today. Just a little bit disappointed with the finish, but, all in all, I am pretty happy.
“I think I’ll now be going to Ireland next week and it will then be a very short turnaround for the Tartan Pro Tour as it starts on the Monday following Ireland. I am looking forward to it.”
Vogelpohl and Stewart will both be HotelPlanner Tour card holders if they can stay in the top two spots on the Scottish circuit’s season-long points battle, with Stewart also in with a chance of securing automatic promotion after winning twice this year and needing one more victory to clinch an instant step up.
“It’s been a good year so far,” admitted the Ayrshireman. “The last six weeks have maybe stalled a little bit. The putter’s not as hot as it was at the start of the year and it was the same this week. I probably played some of the best golf I have this year, but the putter was a little cold, which is slightly disappointing. But, listen, it is nice to have another good week.
“There’s a long way to go this season. There’s a lot of good players on the Tartan Pro Tour and John, who has also had a good finish here, is leading our Order of Merit. It’s not job done and I don’t think that at all. Hopefully I can have another good week in Ireland then get back to theTartan Pro Tour and play some good stuff.”
Marc Warren, who was the leading Scot at the start of the day, slipped to joint-15th after a closing 71 left him on 11 under alongside Ryan Lumsden and one ahead of Graeme Robertson.
Calum Fyfe jumped three spots to 25th in the Road to Mallorca Rankings after ending up in a tie for 27th place, with Rory Franssen, last week’s winner in Estonia, dropping two spots to 32nd after he missed the cut.
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