An excited Ewen Ferguson has been afforded an invitation into a maiden Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open later this week at the Renaissance club.
Ferguson, 24 posted a Dubai Duty Free Irish final round one-under par 71 for a share of 14th place in very cold conditions at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena.
American John Catlin, 29 birdied three of his closing four holes in a round of a six-under 64 for a 10-under par and win by two shots under four days of a ‘preferred lie’ ruling.
Ewen Ferguson thrilled to me making his Scottish Open debut.
And like the No. 272 bus, Catlin waited 33 events for a maiden European Tour success and he’s now won a second in three starts after capturing the recent Andalucia Masters.
Catlin also became only the third American to capture the Irish Open and a first since 1977 when Hubert Green held off compatriot Ben Crenshaw, who had won the event a year earlier.
England’s Aaron Rai, and who led for three rounds, failed to birdie in the last in a round of 69 to be runner-up at nine-under par.
Thailand’s 24-year Jazz Janewattananond, and a six-time winner on the Asian Tour, let slip victory in taking a double-bogey at the par-3 14th and dropping from one in front to then one behind.
‘Jazz’ eventually posted a 69 to finish third at seven-under.
Overnight frost and morning fog led to a three-and-a-half-hour delay to the start of play and with Ferguson just five shots off the lead and officially requiring a top-10 in finish into the Scottish Open.
Though he was informed ahead of tee-off of confirmation of his place in the Renaissance field.
Ferguson said: “It was a good week, just disappointing to bogey the last. A lot of positives so I’ll take that into the next few tournaments I’ll play.
“My game was in good shape, I just struggled with the different environment with the cameras and the microphones and everything going on. I just need to get used to that, you need to put yourself in position to keep learning from it, so it’s not bad.
“It’s unbelievable (playing next week), I’m just going to go out and see what I can do. It’s amazing because I three-putted the last from 15 feet – a good thing to come off to. I’ll just keep plugging away and see what happens.
“It’s my first Scottish Open. I’ve always wanted to play it since I was a little boy, it’ll be cool to play there and try my best.
“I’ve played Open qualifying there, so I know it’s a good and tough course. It can get pretty windy. If I go out and play my game it should be good.
“It’s a step up from playing Challenge Tour and having to deal with so much more. You have to be good at a lot of things, not just golf, you’ve got to be professional. You’ll have to get used to it eventually, it’s all just part of the journey.”
The Scot’s progress on day four was checked early by back-to-back bogeys at three and four.
Ferguson grabbed a first birdie at the 10th but then dropped a further shot at 13 before a birdie at 15 for a third day running followed by a first birdie all week at the 16th only to finish with a bogey.
Peebles Craig Howie, and the very last player into the Irish field, signed for a last day 69 to be just outside the top-20 at one-under par.
Unfortunately, Howie will not be among the 15 Scots who will tee-up in Thursday’s starting Scottish Open.
The number also matches the number that teed-up in Scotland’s premier event a year ago.
And each of the 15 will be looking to win the Scottish Open for a first time.
SCOTTISH SCORES – IRISH OPEN
278 – Ewen Ferguson
281 – Craig Howie
282 – Calum Hill
283 – Richie Ramsay
284 – David Law
287 – Stephen Gallacher
288 – Scott Jamieson
