ANNUAL TOURNAMENTS

St Andrews Links Trophy 2004

Jamie McLeary (pictured, left) captured the most notable title of his blossoming career as the Fife golfer surged to a commanding victory in the St Andrews Links Trophy. The 23-year-old, who would later set the seal on a memorable season by securing the Scottish Golf Union's Order of Merit crown, strung together final-day rounds of 71 and 72 over the Old Course for a three-under-par aggregate of 284 and a record-equalling seven-shot victory over English internationalist Richard Walker from Cheshire.

McLeary, who became the 10th Scottish winner of the prestigious Links Trophy in its 16-
year history, was sharing the lead with Welshman Gareth Wright going into the final 36 holes on the Sunday. But as the Leven member cemented his place at the head of the field with a solid third round one-under-par 71, West Linton-based Wright, whose stepfather Ian is a former coach of Sandy Lyle, tumbled out of contention with a disappointing 78. That left McLeary in splendid isolation at the top of the leaderboard and, with a healthy five-shot lead going into the closing round, the Scottish international's charge to the title was never threatened.

'This is without doubt the biggest win of my career and I'm delighted,' said McLeary after securing his second major 72-hole success of the season following his win in the Craigmillar Park Open in April. 'I've played well over all four rounds and this has proved to me that I can compete and challenge for honours against a top-class field over 72 holes.'

While the final day's play turned into something of a procession for the Scot, the seeds of his triumph were sown on an opening day, which saw the majority of the international field blown off course by near gale force conditions.

As the wind played havoc with the scoring, McLeary harnessed the testing elements over
the New Course to good effect and carved out a fine two-under-par 69. Wright joined him on the two-under mark, but the fact that only two players dipped below the par of 71 spoke volumes for the difficulties faced by the competitors.

Stuart Wilson, who had lifted the British Amateur title at the Home of Golf the week before the Links Trophy, was content with his opening 74 but by the end of day two over the Old Course, the Open Championship silver medallist was seven shots adrift of the lead after a second consecutive 74.

McLeary and Wright matched each other again with level-par 72s to stay out in front although McLeary lost the lead outright after an excursion into the Road Hole bunker cost him a double-bogey at the 17th, while Wright rolled in a five-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to haul himself back to a level-par finish. Former English Amateur champion Gary Lockerbie of Penrith manoeuvred himself into the reckoning with a 70 to lurk just a shot off the pace going into the final day but, like Wright, his challenge crumbled with closing rounds of 78 and 76.

Walker stole in to take the runners-up spot with a 73 and a 74 for 291 while Wright shared third on 293 with Wentworth's Sam Osborne and Scottish Amateur champion George Murray of Earlsferry.