Greig Hutcheon’s domination of the Tartan Tour continues with the Banchory golfer celebrating winning the order of merit for the fifth time in eight years.
Hutcheon, 40, has been first or second in the money-winners table for the past four seasons but is eager to show the best is yet to come and he is targeting next year’s Scottish Open as the venue to make an impact.
He said: “I’m chuffed to win the order of merit this year. Especially as it gives me a tee time for the Aberdeen Asset Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen next year, an event which will be huge in the golfing calendar and nice to have it not far from home.
“After a chat with Paul Lawrie I’m also understanding it will be an event graced with a lot more of the superstars as the dry Scottish summer led to extreme links golf conditions for the Open, which took many by surprise but not the likes of Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson who prepared correctly by playing the week prior at Castle Stuart before Muirfield.
“We are very lucky in Scotland that the events allow many of us to keep playing the game we love while not holding a European Tour category.
“With the number of course records and great scoring we have had at Scottish events this past season, perhaps the Tartan Tour proves you don’t necessarily have to be on tour to keep your game in world class condition.”
Hutcheon has had another successful 2013 but the season is by no means over.
He said: “I’m looking forward to the PGA play-offs in November when Graham Fox, Chris Kelly and myself will compete for invites to European Tour and Challenge Tour events next season.”
Hutcheon, who was introduced to golf as a boy by the late Banchory Golf Club pro Douglas Smart, was once quoted as saying he felt he was not far off European Tour standard.
He said: “I did make it to the European Tour twice when I was younger. Not getting my world ranking inside the top 200 is disappointing.
“Nevertheless, after a potentially career-finishing shoulder injury in my prime, my success story is the fact that I made it back and am making cuts at the top level.”