David Law continued to pay back some of the “incredible support” he’s had from Paul Lawrie with a handsome win in the former Open champion’s Invitational event at Deeside.
The 22-year-old from Aberdeen, who was taken under Lawrie’s wing when just 16, coasted round in a one-under 69 in wet and chilly conditions, eventually winning with an 11-under aggregate of 199, three ahead of his mentor who finished strongly with a 64.
Only 18 months in the pros after an outstanding amateur career that saw him become the first player to win the Scottish Men’s and Boys’ matchplay titles in the same year, this was Law’s fourth win in a pro event and next week he is poised move up the ranks by clinching a Challenge Tour card at a satellite tour event in Poland.
“It gives me a lot of confidence, but it’s especially nice to win Paul’s tournament because of all he’s done for me,” said Law, who took home a winner’s cheque of £6,000.
“I can’t say enough about all the help he’s given me, especially in the last few months in getting over this period of transition from the amateurs to the pros.”
Rain descended on Deeside in the early morning and squeedgies were required to keep play moving on some low-lying greens for a while, but it wasn’t enough to discomfort Law with his handsome four-shot lead overnight.
Friend and playing partner Paul Shields suffered a double bogey on the seventh, which knocked him out of contention, and Law was five shots ahead when he reached the 17th, finishing the last two holes with a couple of inconsequential bogeys.
The tournament host’s strong finish, matching the low round of the week, came as he finally parted company with an old friend.
“That putter’s been with me since 2003 but it was time to give it a rest,” he said,having switched to a model three inches longer, and the 64 means the new wand, which he’d been “pottering about with” for a few weeks at home, will stick in the bag for the Dunhill next week.
Montrose’s Graeme Brown completed a fine three days with a 67 to take third place outright on six-under, while GB&I Boys’ cap Conor Syme returned a five-under 65. Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil, in his debut in a professional event, finished with three 70s for a par aggregate of 210 in 11th place.