Cheers! Cameron wins the Loch Lomond Whiskies PGA Scottish Championship

04/09/2020

Ross Cameron achieved the biggest success of his career in winning the Loch Lomond Whiskies PGA Scottish Championship and in doing so experience some sunshine in an otherwise gloomy year.

Cancelled tournaments and shut down golf clubs due to the lockdown meant the 41-year-old from Peterhead had to take on a part-time job in a supermarket to supplement his income.

But those worries were temporarily cast aside at Deer Park Golf and Country Club as he won the Tartan Tour’s flagship event.

What’s more his victory was worry-free as he left a posse of Scotland’s most accomplished and successful tournament pros in his slipstream to claim the coveted trophy and £4,250 winner’s cheque.

The four-shot advantage Cameron enjoyed at the start of the fourth and final round remained at the end as defending champion Paul O’Hara plus former winners Graham Fox and Chris Kelly were among those left to scrap for the remainder of the £27,250 prize fund.

In the event, the runner’s up berth went to Clydeway Golf’s Fox whose six-under-par round of 66 was the best of the day and saw him finish on 11-under.

Not that Cameron was ever overly concerned, even after a bogey at the par-three third.

A birdie at the par-three seventh and eagle at the par-five eighth eased any worries he may have harboured. Likewise being able to keep track of how his pursuers were faring.

To avoid exchanging scorecards as a precaution to combat the spread of COVID-19, players recorded their scores electronically via an App on their mobile phones.

“That allowed me to see what everyone else was doing,” explained Cameron, who represents Saltire Energy.

“In fairness, I was playing well and didn’t have any nerves at all. But being able to do that gave me some extra reassurance.”

As did further birdies at the 12^th and 15^th as Cameron recorded his second successive three-under-par round of 69 to post a final total of 15-under. It was also his fourth sub-par round of the tournament and therein lay the key to his victory.

“I don’t think I’ve been that consistent over four rounds,” added Cameron whose previous best placing in the tournament was tied 11^th.

“I’m over the moon as this is the best win of my career. It’s definitely a good excuse to have a dram or two of the sponsor’s product in celebration!”

Looking ahead, Cameron is hoping his victory will lead to exemptions and invites to play in other prestigious tournaments.

“It’s given me a big boost in the Tartan Tour’s Order of Merit and I hope this will open a few doors,” he added. “In the meantime, it’s back to work at the supermarket on Monday.”

Full scores are available here