Calum Hill didn’t get the actual first prize in the Aberdeen Standards Investments Scottish Open qualifier at Longniddry, but he got the prize he felt counted most.
The Gleneagles Hotel touring pro lost a play-off for the £5000 first prize to fellow Challenge Tour regular Scott Henry on the East Lothian course but he’d already got what he wanted, a guaranteed place in the field for this week’s Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.
Hill missed out on a place at Gullane last year at the same venue by a whisker, so all he wanted was a place in the tournament this year. After leading at the overnight half way stage, his 10-under aggregate after a second round 64 – including two birdies in his last four holes – was more than enough.
“That’s the most important part done,” said the 24-year-old, who played all four rounds in the US Open at Shinnecock Hills last year.
“Next week will be the second biggest tournament I have played in, but probably the most important to me, so this is brilliant.”
Henry (32) was the last player into the qualifier, only gaining a spot last week when Connor Syme, exhausted after a long schedule and qualifying for the Open last week, withdrew from the field.
His second round 61 catapulted him into a share of the lead and with his wife, LET player Kylie looking on, he holed a 25-foot birdie putt at the first extra hole to keep the contest going and then claimed the first prize with a 125-foot birdie putt as they played the 18th a second time..
“Being a Scot and a proud one, it means a lot to be back playing in the Scottish Open, which is a massive event with massive prize-money and a great tournament,” said Henry, who will be playing in his fourth Scottish.
“I’m playing this year without any sponsors and, though qualifying doesn’t mean I am guaranteed to win any prize-money next week, it is a great opportunity for me to turn things around.”
Henry’s 61 tied the course record set a few hours earlier by Auchterarder amateur Rory Franssen, but that wasn’t enough to get the Scottish international into next week’s field.
Instead veteran former European tour pro Chris Doak, who has an attachment with The Renaissance Club, took the third spot with rounds of 63 and 64.
Doak said; “Getting through to next week was the goal – I just wanted to be playing at The Renaissance Club in front of the members.
“It is great to be associated with such a fantastic facility and I am lucky that (Renaissance owner) Jerry and the other members of the Savardi family support me.”
Fraserburgh pro Kris Nicol hit an eight-iron inside two feet at the 18th to snatch the final spot away from Kingsbarns pro Daniel Young, Ryan Campbell and last year’s leading qualifier, Challenge Tour pro Duncan Stewart.
It’s the second time Nicol has qualified after making it at Lossiemouth three years ago to play at Castle Stuart.