James Morgan’s excellent run of form continued in remarkable circumstances as he hit top gear the Cameron Corbett Vase just in time to win by two shots.
FORMAT: 72-hole stroke play
The Longniddry player, fresh from victory ay the Tennant Cup and a runner-up in the East of Scotland Open last month, was well down the field stood on the 15th tee of his second round at Haggs Castle.
The 22-year-old then finished birdie, birdie, birdie, eagle to stay in touch with 36-hole leader Lachlan Reynolds (Hilton Park) and yesterday stormed to the title thanks to rounds of 64 and 67 for a 17-under-par final total.
Having played the last 40 holes in 18 under, Morgan was understandably delighted to have come through and pipped Reynolds, who in turn finished three ahead of Sebastian Sandin (Dunblane New) and Callum Waugh (Bothwell Castle).
“I played some really great golf,” said Morgan, who has now leapt to the top of the Scottish Order of Merit standings ahead of Scottish Men’s Open champion Connor Graham (Blairgowrie).
“I gave myself lots of chances and holed a few long putts and, although I did not hit it quite as well in the final round, managed to hole a few more.”
Morgan had just one bogey on the final day and his 64 (-8) was his lowest ever score, beating his previous best by two shots.
The 2023 Scottish Order of Merit fixtures
• April 8-9: Craigmillar ark 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)
Starting the third round five back of Reynolds, he rolled in an eight-footer to get things started, also birdied fourth and then sunk a 40-foot bomb on the fifth to get to three under.
Another birdie followed on the seventh and his run of pars around the turn was broken in unexpected fashion as he drained a slopey 30-footer on 11.
He also got one against the head a the tough par four 14th before rounding things off in style with-back-to-back birdies to close things out.
His brilliant effort got him within two of the slightly unfortunate Reynolds, who certainly did not lose the title.
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It was certainly a case of Morgan taking it off him as, in the fourth round, he again took full adavntage of both early par fives (1 & 4).
Although the champion admitted the nerves kicked in after he bagged his fourth birdie of the round on 13.
“After that birdie I knew I was in contention and after the bogey on 15 I was frustrated because I knew I had a great chance of going bogey free for the day.”
Having missed the green, he failed to get up and down to drop back to 15 under par but once again he birdied the final two holes, which proved crucial with Reynolds closing out with a one-under-par 71.