Duncan Stewart captures maiden Tour title

• Duncan Stewart captures maiden Challenge Tour title in Madrid
• Shot a four-under-par final round to finish one clear of Ben Stow
• “I don’t think it will sink in for a couple of days,” he said

Duncan Stewart seized advantage of a tournament invite to the Challenge de Madrid by clinching his maiden Challenge Tour title.

The Turnhouse man put together a fantastic final round – a four-under-par 66 – to finish one shot clear of Ben Stow, holding his nerve to finish with a par and grab the biggest win of his career to date.

“I don’t think it will sink in for a couple of days but it was a massive relief,” said Stewart, who is receiving support from SSE Scottish Hydro for a third successive season. “Not having full status this year I was on an invite this week and I can’t thank Bounce Sport 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 both days so that set me up well.

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“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.

“I wouldn’t say I didn’t see this coming but I am glad I took my chance to win as you get so few opportunities to win out here.”

The 31-year-old took home a cheque for €27,200 for his win – which lifts him up to fourth place in the Road to Oman rankings – while last year in 21 events on both the European and Challenge Tours, he collected just €15,119.

Elsewhere, David Law finished T9 and Peter Whiteford finished T27. George Murray, Chris Doak, Paul Shields, Jack Doherty, Bradley Neil and Scott Henry all failed to make it to the weekend.

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Duncan Stewart :: Can he kick on?

After clinching his maiden Challenge Tour title in Madrid, do you think Duncan Stewart can kick on and earn his European Tour card this season? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.