Fantastic Challenge Tour win for Stewart in Madrid
Grantown's Duncan Stewart claimed an emphatic maiden victory on the European Challenge Tour after a fantastic final round today at the Madrid Challenge Real Club Herreria in Spain's capital city
Stewart, who has moved his base to Edinburgh and plays out of Turnhouse Golf Club, was in magnificent form under the Spanish sun, picking up five birdies on the way to carding a four under par 66 in the last round of the tournament for an eight-under aggregate of 272 over the par-70 lay-out.
His earlier rounds were 69, 66 and 71.
The victory earned 27,200 euros for Stewart who spent four years playing on the American college circuit with Russell Knox for Jacksonville University, Florida.
The 31 year old Stewart - he will be 32 on May 24 - twice a winner of £10,000 first prizes on the EuroPro Tour, who was given an invite to play in the Challenge Tour event, went on to the 18th hole with a one shot advantage over England’s Ben Stow who was the clubhouse leader on seven under par.
But Stewart held his nerve to hold out for the biggest win of his career on the 2016 Road to Oman, and he was overwhelmed with his achievement
“I don’t think it will sink in for a couple of days but it was a massive relief,” said Stewart
“Not having full status this year I was on an invite this week and I can’t thank Bounce Sports enough for all their support.
“I was hoping the weather would be the same as yesterday as David Law and I know how to play in the wind so it was right up our street. I just wanted to get off to a good start and I made a birdie on the first hole both days so that set me up well.
“Then I just played absolutely fantastic – up there with the best I have ever played. I would have been pretty disappointed if I didn’t manage to sneak it over the line."
Only one behind Stewart was Stow who set the pace on day four after signing for a four under par 66 to reach seven under par 273 overall.
Aberdonian David Law had rounds of 68, 66, 73 and 70 for joint ninth place on 277. He earned 3,400 Euros.
Kirkcaldy's Peter Whiteford, the only other Scot to beat the cut, finished tied 27th on 281 with rounds of 70, 67, 73 and 71. HE earned 1,438 euros.
Read more from Stewart on his great win in the next Strathy.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4x70) prizemoney in euros
272 D Stewart (Sco) 69 66 71 66 (27,200)
273 B Stow (Eng) 70 68 69 66 (18,700)
274 P Anges (Spa) 66 72 67 69 (11,900)
276 L Gagli (Ita) 69 66 71 70, C Hanson (Eng) 71 66 69 70, F Laporta (Ita) 64 69 77 66, M Pavon (Fra) 68 6 72 69, C Selfridge (Eng) 66 70 70 70 (7,140 each)
OTHER SCOTS' TOTALS
277 D Law 68 66 73 70 (T9) (3,400)
281 P Whiteford 70 67 73 71 (T27) (1,428)
