It wasn’t a weekend for faint hearts and Schloss Roxburghe’s Jack McDonald certainly made light of the “brutal” conditions to win the Battle Trophy at Crail GS by nine shots last night.
The 21-year-old claimed his second Scottish Order of Merit event title in stunning fashion. The 2022 Tennant Cup champion was two ahead after the first round, was pegged back to one at halfway by former England international Jack Brooks but then spreadeagled the field with a third-round 69 before a two-under-par 70 left him well clear of runner-up Matthew Allen (Hayston).
McDonald, who finished second in last year’s Battle Trophy, was delighted with how he played Craighead Links, especially after going out early on Saturday when the wind was gusting up to 45mph
“That’s probably as good as I have ever struck it over four rounds,” he said.
“Yesterday (Sunday) I probably missed just one shot so in terms of ball striking that’s just about as good as it gets.
“Across the whole tournament I also only had two three-putts and I was really pleased with my short game. When I missed I invariably was chipping back into the wind so I did well to miss in the right places.”
Scoring on the first day reflected the difficulty. Nobody broke par in the oepning round with McDonald conjuring up a 73 to lead by two from Danny Elder (Carnoustie Links).
The champion, who finished third in the overall Scottish Order of Merit last year, added: “Par on Saturday was more like 75. It was absolutely brutal.”
Winds did ease slightly after lunch with Northern Order of Merit champion Jack Brooks showing his class to fire a 69, an improvement of ten shots on his morning effort.
RELATED: Birdie-birdie finish lifts Stewart Watt to first WAGR-ranked victory
However the Lancashire-based player could not live with his playing partner in round three when conditions were slightly easier. McDonald extended his lead to seven on the back of a 69 while Allen, who was 13 over par at halfway, came storming through the field thanks to the round of the weekend (67).
In the afternoon, Brooks was unable to close the gap at any point as McDonald once again played beautifully. Even when he hit a wild tee shot on 17, the Borders player executed a remarkable up and down.
His closing 70 left him two under par overall while Brooks (73) finished third, one behind Allen (71).
The 2023 Scottish Order of Merit fixtures
• April 8-9: Craigmillar Park Open (Cat 4)
• April 22-23: Battle Trophy (Cat 4)
• April 20-23: Welsh Open Stroke Play (Cat 3)
• April 28-30: Lytham Trophy (Cat 2)
• May 11-14: Irish Amateur (Cat 3)
• May 25-28: Brabazon Trophy (Cat 2)
• June 2-4: Scottish Men’s Open (Cat 2)
• June 9-11: St Andrew Links Trophy (Cat 2)
• June 17-18: Tennant Cup (Cat 4)
• June 19-24: The Amateur (Cat 1)
• June 24-25: East of Scotland Open (Cat 4)
• July 8-9: Cameron Corbett Vase (Cat 4)
• Aug 1-5: Scottish Men’s Amateur (Cat 2)
• Aug 5-6: Amateur Champion Gold Medal (Cat 2)
• Aug 19-20: North East Open (Cat 4)
• Aug 26-27: North of Scotland Open (Cat 4)
• Aug 26-27: South East District Championship (Cat 4)
Crail Golfing Society captain Robert Meikle said: “It is a thrill to see so many of the country’s top amateur golfers travel to Crail and take on the challenge that Craighead Links presents in tournament conditions.
“Jack McDonald is not only a supremely talented golfer but a credit to the Roxburghe, his parents and everyone who has mentored him to get to this level. He joins a growing list of exceptionally gifted golfers to lift our valued trophy and we are all so pleased for him.”
McDonald added: “There are few courses that can provide such great playing conditions this early in the season. Last year the wind was out of the west, so to play with an easterly made the course play completely different. It was cold, but great fun.”