Keir set for busy month after Ladybank victory

Keir McNicol lined up a packed July when he won the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship Scottish qualifier at Ladybank Golf Club.

The Carnoustie Golf Links professional already knew he would be involved behind the scenes when the Angus venue hosts this year’s Open that month.

But now, just  a week later, McNicol will be playing in the £78,000 grand final which is being held at Little Aston Golf Club near Sutton Coldfield, between 24-27.

McNicol won at Ladybank by two shots ahead of Ross Leeds (Archerfield Links),  Jonathan Porteous (Craigielaw Golf Club) and Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills Golf Range).

He carded a round of 70 which made him the only player to go under par in difficult conditions.

McNicol will be hoping to improve on his previous appearance in the final two years ago when he missed the cut at The Oxfordshire.

“The Open is the week before the final, so I don’t see myself getting too much practice in, but I plan to play at Little Aston,” he said.

“It’ll be nice to have a break down there after such a busy week at Carnoustie.

“The Open finishes on the 22nd and I’ll be looking to get a practice round in on the 23rd! So it’ll be a quick turnaround, but fun as well.”

McNicol admitted a good start helped him to victory at Ladybank.

“It was a windy, blustery day, most of the guys found it difficult chipping on the greens which were really firm,” he explained.

“That was the hardest part. But I went under par quite early which helped me. I got to three under par but then went into cruise control and made a couple of mistakes.

"But anything under par was good so I was quite sensible after that.”