MCHUGH ADDS SCOTTISH UNDER-14 OPEN TITLE TO HIS IRISH TITLE

Irish Boys’ Under 14 Champion Rubén Rivas McHugh of Tralee Golf Links showed nerves of steel to birdie the 18th hole of today’s final round to claim a dramatic victory in the Scottish Under 14 Open Championship at Edzell Golf Club.

After finding the green in two, McHugh left his eagle putt short of the cup. However, he composed himself to roll in a five-footer and climb to the top of the leaderboard.

Today’s round of 70 came on the back of yesterday’s opening round of 68 for a 138 aggregate total (-4). The Irish ace fired an impressive tally of ten birdies across his two rounds in an event sponsored by St Leonards School, St Andrews.

McHugh then had an agonising 90-minute wait to see if he would be caught by any of the later starters in the 36-hole/no cut event.

Estonia’s Marcus Latt and McHugh’s Irish compatriots Eilgin Michael and Parker Bonnes still had a chance going into their back nines, but couldn’t find the birdies to catch the leader.

McHugh was thrilled to win the title following on from winning the Irish Boys’ Under 14 title a fortnight ago.

He said: “I love coming over here and playing in Scottish Golf events in the Home of Golf. The course was superb all week and a bit greener than we’ve been used to in recent weeks.”

“I knew coming down the last I probably need one more birdie and hit a great drive, a nice six-iron and then a couple of putts.”

“It was great winning in Ireland a few weeks back and if I knew what the secret was I’d do it a lot more!”

In total, 144 players from 15 nations teed it up at Edzell, a hidden gem in the beautiful Angus countryside.

The competitors ranged in age from 9-14 and the standard of play was superb.