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Victory for Peebles man Craig in weather-shortened season opener

Borders golfer Craig Howie got his season off to the dream start after winning the weather-shortened Craigmillar Park Open to claim his first domestic men’s title.

Howie, from Peebles, saw off Kyle McLung of Wigtownshire County at the third extra hole of a play-off after the SGU men’s season curtain-raiser was reduced to 54 holes because of heavy rain and strong winds.

The winner of the 2012 Scottish Boys Championship, Howie (pictured receiving the trophy from Craigmillar Park club captain, John Chapman) covered the Edinburgh course in just 65 shots in his third round to tie with 36-hole leader McLung.

And after two extra holes still couldn’t separate them, Howie got the job done at the third play-off hole to add his name to an illustrious list of former Craigmillar Park Open champions. Sir Nick Faldo, Scott Jamieson, Marc Warren, Steven O’Hara, Lloyd Saltman and Andrew Oldcorn have all won the event in the past.

“It’s a nice feeling to win for the first time at this level,” Craig, a first-year student at the University of Stirling, told the SGU website. “My intention is to play as many Men’s events as I can this year.

“I just played consistently today, making birdie on the easier holes. It was lashing rain for most of the front nine, but it cleared up a bit for the last five or six holes even though it was still really windy.

“I’ve been playing a lot of golf, with the University as well, but I’ve a few days off this week so it will be nice to enjoy the win before the Battle Trophy next weekend.”

Matthew Clark of Kilmacolm finished in third place, two shots adrift of Howie and McClung, with newly-crowned Scottish Boys champion Bradley Neil finishing in joint tenth place on his debut in the event.

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Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered

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