Penge lifts Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship title

Marco Penge held his nerve to claimed his biggest title yet on Sunday – the Carrick Neill Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship.
Marco Penge Scottish Open Strokeplay ChampionshipMarco Penge Scottish Open Strokeplay Championship
Marco Penge Scottish Open Strokeplay Championship

On a blustery final afternoon, the 17-year-old, from Horsham, refused to be blown of course and won by a shot over the Lossiemouth links at Moray.

The Goodwood player was in contention throughout the championship. After a first round 69 – two-under – he was two behind the leaders; after a second 69 he shared the lead at the halfway stage.

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The England boy international and member of the England Golf boys’ squad, had a bogey-free round of four-under 67 to get to eight-under and take a one-shot lead into the final round.

There were a host of leading names in the hunt for the title on a classy leaderboard, but Penge showed great tenacity to keep them at bay, helped by a decisive eagle at the par-5 17th. He closed with a two-over-par 73 for a six-under par winning total.

Penge said: “It’s my first win in a national men’s event and it’s a bit of a different feeling walking down the last.

“I was a bit nervous on the last green – but now I feel good!”

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Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson, in the provisional Walker Cup squad ahead of September’s clash with the US at Royal Lytham, finished as runner-up on five under after a brave bid, with another Walker Cup squad man, Ireland’s Cormac Sharvin, taking third spot a stroke further back.

Robertson, who posted a brilliant 66 in round three helped by a chip-in for an eagle two at the 9th, was bidding to become the first Scots winner since 2008 but came up just short.

Former Worthing golfer Penge – who won the Peter McEvoy Trophy earlier this season and will rise from his world amateur ranking of 280 – joins an impressive list of past champions.

They include victorious Ryder Cup captains Bernard Gallacher and Colin Montgomerie, as well as current European Tour stars Stephen Gallacher, Richie Ramsay,

The win has also boosted his Walker Cup hopes and Penge said: “I’ve put my name forward, I’m giving it a good chance.”

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