Hutcheon looks to shine after Q-School success

He’s already something of a legend on the Tartan Tour. Now, the indefatigable Greig Hutcheon is a fully paid-up member of the Legends Tour.

The 49-year-old Aberdonian, who was the dominant force on the Scottish PGA circuit for many seasons and remains a fine campaigner of great longevity,  made the grade at the Legends Tour’s qualifying school final in Turkey to earning him his card alongside Englishman Sean Whiffin.

In a tough examination – only five cards for the 2023 circuit were on offer – Hutcheon, who will turn 50 in March, reeled off rounds of 71, 71, 69 and 69 for an eight-under aggregate and finished third behind No.1 qualifier Keith Horne.

Hutcheon, who reached the final stage of the Champions Tour qualifying school in the USA late last year, is now relishing the prospect of a new chapter in a long professional career that began over 30 years ago.

As a fledgling PGA pro, Hutcheon served his apprenticeship in the Banchory Golf Club shop alongside his fellow Aberdonian, Paul Lawrie, and he is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with the 1999 Open champion on the Legends Tour.

“With only five cards on offer, it was a big ask so I’m delighted that I’ve made it,” said the former Scottish PGA champion who was a multiple winner of the Tartan Tour’s Order of Merit as well as a three-time victor on the European Challenge Tour. 

“I’m hoping I’ll be pretty competitive. It will need a lot of work, though. You know what golf is like. You need to keep at it to stay sharp. But that’s what I love about it, the constant challenge.

“It’s going to be a new experience and a real test. Paul still plays some terrific stuff and the standard on the tour is great.

“It will be a real honour for me to go out with Paul and the rest of the greats of the game and compete against them. It’s a nice reward for all the work down the years.”

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