Winning start for Myles Cunningham

MYLES Cunningham is determined to keep his feet on the ground despite getting his professional career off to a winning start.

Two days after switching to the paid ranks last week, the 22-year-old Longniddry player topped the leaderboard at Mottram Hall in Cheshire in a stage one event in this season’s EuroPro Tour Qualifying School.

The final phase, over 54 holes, starts today at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire and, though feeling confident about his chances, Cunningham is not getting carried away.

“I wasn’t thinking about winning when I set out last week, especially after I’d only just made the decision to turn professional,” he said of firing rounds of 68 and 76 to beat a huge field by one shot.

In making it to the final stage, Cunningham has already secured a spot on this season’s EuroPro Tour, with this week’s event determining card categories for the third-tier circuit.

“One of the reasons I decided to turn pro is that amateur events are so expensive to play in these days, so I’m as well trying to earn some money from playing,” he added.

“I know what the EuroPro Tour is all about through playing at Craigielaw with the Saltmans and also Shaun McAllister, who has played on the circuit for the last two years.

“It would be good if I could earn a step up to the Challenge Tour next year, but I have to try and keep my feet on the ground.”

Other Scots in action at Frilford Heath include Walker Cup player Michael Stewart and John Henry, the younger brother of Challenge Tour player Scott.