Matheson in race against time

Former PGA Cup player Craig Matheson is facing a battle to be fit for the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship Scottish qualifier at Blairgowrie Golf Club.

Matheson is due to be among a field of Scottish PGA professionals who will line up for the Peugeot- supported event on April 29 but is recovering from damaged ribs sustained in a gym mishap.

The Falkirk Tryst professional achieved the biggest moment of his career when he qualified for the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team that was defeated by the United States in 2009.

And now he is hoping for another shot at making the team through the £78,000 Glenmuir showpiece final being held on June 11-14 at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland where the PGA Cup will also be staged in September.

“I was in the gym a few weeks ago and working on a leg press and let the weights drop two quickly and ended up getting the rib injury,” he said.

“I found out after that there was ligament damage too so I’ll have to work hard to make sure that I’m ready in time.

“It’ll be a shame if I can’t make it. All this because I was actually trying to get into shape for the new season!”

“I knew the Glenmuir event would be coming early this season and I want to do well in it.

“Playing in the PGA Cup in 2009 has been the highlight of my career so far and I knew my form had to be good from the start.

“I’ve come close to qualifying for The Open Championship, but nothing has matched the PGA Cup, it was a fantastic experience.”

Scott Herald ( Mearns Castle Golf Academy), Ken Hutton  (Downfield Golf Club), Norman Huguet (Musselburgh Golf Club), Campbell Steven (Strathclyde Park Golf Centre) and three-time PGA Cup player and former Glenmuir champion  Gordon Law (Uphall Golf Club) are among other players set to tee off at Blairgowrie.