Fox on the run as 64 gives him Loch Lomond Whiskies Scottish PGA Championship advantage

02/09/2021

We’re not sure if the phrase “mastering the straight duff” is in the PGA coaching manuals but Graham Fox’s low key, self-deprecating approach to this week’s Loch Lomond Whiskies Scottish PGA Championship continues to pay off.

The 44-year-old from West Kilbride, a winner of the national title back in 2012, has not exactly been waxing lyrical about his own game over the last couple of days at Deer Park but his sparkling eight-under 64 would appear to be text book stuff. Or perhaps not? “It wasn’t much better striking wise but it seemed to go straight,” said the Clydeway-attached pro with a wry grin.

Fox’s noble effort, which was just a shot shy of the Deer Park course record, gave him a 15-under aggregate and a two shot lead over Craig Lee and the defending champion, Ross Cameron, heading into the final day.

With plenty of Arnold Clark Tartan Tour big guns lurking on the leaderboard, the closing round is shaping up to be the kind of gung-ho shoot-out you used to get at the O.K Coral.

Like many PGA pros, Fox’s coaching diary has been jam-packed over the summer and he arrived at Deer Park with modest expectations due to his lack of competitive outings this season.

Despite feeling a bit ring-rusty, the former European Tour player is now on course to capture one of Scottish professional golf’s most cherished prizes for a second time.

“Given how little I’ve played and how little I’ve practised, this is well beyond my expectations,” said Fox, who had a chance of equalling the course record with a birdie putt of 20-feet on the 18^th. “But sometimes it’s better to have zero expectations. I’ve been so busy with coaching over the summer and there’s just not enough hours in the day.

“It would mean a lot to me to win this trophy again. The standard among the 10 or 15 at the top really is excellent. If you can beat them on any day let alone over four days then you deserve to give yourself a pat on the back.”

Cameron kept himself in the hunt to become the first player since Ross Drummond in 1990 to win back-to-back titles with a 68 which left him lurking menacingly.

The 42-year-old held a four shot lead going into the closing round of the championship a year ago but now finds himself playing catch up with 18-holes to play.

After a season of struggle on the PGA EuroPro Tour, Cameron is relishing the cut-and-thrust of the sharp end again.

“It’s a far better position to be in than scraping away to make cuts,” admitted the Peterhead man, whose round was illuminated with a raking putt of over 30-feet for a birdie on the 16^th. “I’m slap bang in there and I would’ve taken this at the start of the week. It’s all to play for.”

Lee, a runner-up three times in the Scottish PGA Championship down the seasons, fired a 67 to keep his hopes very much alive.

“Anybody four or five shots back could easily come through,” said Lee, as he anticipated a final day shoot-out. “It’s one of those courses where someone could get it going and shoot seven or eight under. Anyone within sniffing distance will still fancy their chances.”

Others with a sniff include the likes of Tom Higson (204), Chris Doak (205) and James McGhee (206). It should be a fascinating finale.

CLICK HERE to view the leaderboard after round three.