Dominant O’Hara increases his lead in the Tartan Tour Order of Merit

Paul O’Hara strengthened his position at the top of the Arnold Clark-sponsored Tartan Tour with a dominant performance to win the Northern Open at Portlethen Golf Club.

O’Hara, who represents North Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd, began the final day two shots clear of the 85-strong field after posting a bogey-free eight under par round of 64.

Although his follow-up four under par round of 68 was not as spectacular and birdie-laden as its predecessor, it extended his lead to three shots and earned him the £3,000 first prize.

O’Hara has now won two of the four events contested to date, finished third in the other two and taken his prize money past the £5,000 mark.

That’s almost twice as much as that won by Gavin Hay his closest pursuer in the Order of Merit who finished tied-second with Chris Doak and Rory Franssen on nine-under.

Hay of East Renfrewshire Golf Club and Franssen, an amateur representing Auchterarder Golf Club, shot four under par rounds of 68; the Renaissance Club’s Doak, who was O’Hara’s nearest challenger in the first round signed off with 69.

The best round of the day, however, was the five under par 67 posted by The Gleneagles Hotel’s Thomas Higson.

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