The roles have been reversed for the O’Hara brothers after all these years at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
Steven, for many years a European Tour professional, used to have younger brother Paul on the bag when he played the Scottish, most recently at Castle Stuart. But this week at Dundonald Links the elder brother will be looping for Paul as he makes his debut in the event having come through a sudden death play-off in the qualifying event at Barassie on Sunday night.
“Stevie’s got all the details, the wind effects and all of that, he’s good at that kind of stuff, and he’ll help me,” said the 30-year-old, who won the PGA Club Pros national title earlier in the year.
He also won the Northern Open on the Tartan Tour, and is showing some of the potential he had over a strong amateur career, in which he reached three Scottish Amateur finals.
Paul turned to the club pro route a few years ago when he made minimal impact on the mini tours, but it could be that his development was only delayed.
“I wouldn’t say it was a step back, taking the PGA route,” he said. “I was just trying to make myself better and that was the only option I had at the time.
“Definitely now my game is better, I’m mentally better, and the swing is good. This week is a massive opportunity for me. You don’t have many chances to play in a big tournament like this, so I want to make the most of it.”
“I’m just going to go out and try and shoot as low as I can. I’m playing well and try to keep the same mentality, keep calm, and not think about anything else.”
For teenage amateur Sandy Scott, another Sunday qualifier, this is less about opportunity and all about experience.
“It’s actually cool to see how similar it is to the amateur game,” said 19-year-old from Nairn of his practice rounds with players like Gleneagles Ryder Cup hero Jamie Donaldson. “I had this perception that it would be totally different, but they are all human.”
He also played with Richie Ramsay, who came through a similar route as the young Scottish amateur internationalist is setting out on.
“It’s good to see how much these guys progress through the years,” he said. “Everyone is amateur at one point, and they have all got to this level at some point.
“It’s just seeing that it is possible to do. We were talking about how Richie got from where I am to where he is now. It was really interesting.
“This week I just think I’d just like to do the best I can. Obviously making the cut would be great, but I wouldn’t say it is a goal of mine. We’ll just go with the flow.”
