Final-day 66 clinches title for consistent Doak
third successive Tartan Tour win for greenock player
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Chris Doak won the Northern Open championship and a cheque for £8,000 at the Spey Valley course at Aviemore with eight birdies in a stunning six-under-par final round of 66.
The Greenock-based professional ended the tournament on 274, 14 under par for his four rounds. Remarkably it was his eighth sub-par tournament round in a row, giving him his third successive Tartan Tour win this term.
After walking off the 18th green, the likeable Doak said triumphantly: “I don't think I've ever played better golf in my life than I have done in recent weeks, so now I have to keep it going.
“I think that this win is even more exciting than my first Northern Open title at Skibo in 2005, as they always say it is harder to win it for a second time, so I feel really pleased with what I have accomplished.
“The main thing I wanted was three order of merit tournament victories in a row, so I am delighted to have achieved that, as it will give me a bit of confidence and, hopefully, I can keep that going for the remainder of the year.
“I feel that my temperament is improving overall, both on the course and off it, so the demons are well and truly away."
He added: “I think that this new two-year-old course here at Spey Valley is a fantastic layout and the key to it is the seventh, 11th and 12th holes, which are very difficult, and if you get by them with a par, or even a birdie, you are very happy.
“As the years go on it will mature into a fabulous golf course as the fairways and the greens knit together, while the view over the Cairngorms is stunning."
Joint overnight leader Lee Harper, from Archerfield, finished with a three-under par 69, three shots adrift of the champion, to pocket the £6,000 runners-up cheque, while County Tipperary's Euan Little and Paul Mc-Kechnie, from Braid Hills, tied for third place on 281, each taking home a cheque for £3,500.
Peterculter's Greig Hutcheon ended his tournament in a share of fifth spot with two-times champion Jason McCreadie, on 284, four under for the tournament.
Hutcheon plays in next weeks PGA championship as last years's Tartan Tour leading money winner and he can't wait to show what he can do in the company of some of the game's leading players.
He said: “I am really looking forward to going down to Wentworth as I am playing well. When I had my card I was unable to get in and was first reserve on another occasion and still didn't get in, but I did play last year and I'm looking forward to going back this time even more."
Skibo's Chris Campbell, whose chance of glory went with a third round 79, ended the tournament in style with a superb four-under-par 68, while Paul Lawrie's former coach Adam Hunter finished the tournament with one- under-par 71, two under for the tournament.
The Bookless Cup for the leading amateur was won by Craigielaw's Mark Hillson, the only amateur to make the cut and complete four rounds.
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