Graeme Robertson ends gruelling run of golf with Tartan Pro Tour triumph

Robertson played four rounds in a HotelPlanner Tour event at Golf Bluegreen de Pléneuf Val André in France at the end of last week before turning his attention to Final Qualifying for The Open.

That involved playing a nine-hole practice round at Dundonald Links on Monday then facing 36 holes on Tuesday, when, unlike three years earlier, he came up just short in the battle for coveted spots in the world’s oldest major.

Robertson then opened the latest Tartan Pro Tour event with a 67 in the Borders before a second-round 72 left him trailing Howie (69-68) by two shots heading into the closing circuit.

In a thrilling last-day battle that involved around half a dozen players, Robertson signed off with a 68 for a nine-under total, pipping Howie by a shot after the Peebles man bogeyed the last for a 71.

“It’s always nice to get a win,” admitted Glenbervie-attached Robertson. “It’s probably the best one, to be honest. The last time I won on the Tartan Pro Tour was a couple of years ago, so it felt pretty sweet after not getting to play a lot of golf last year due to a wrist injury. Nothing beats winning, no matter what tour it is on, and putting yourself in the mix.”

Howie’s hopes of backing up a win at Royal Dornoch earlier in the season ended in disappointment, though he looks certain to be involved in the business end in the battle for two spots on next season’s HotelPlanner Tour.

“Craig is a great player,” said Robertson. “I just managed to hole a few putts on the back nine today. I three-putted 11 then holed quite a long one on 13 for a 2 and then a 15-footer for another birdie at the next. I just played really solid coming in. It was quite windy and that finishing stretch at Cardrona is so tough. Yeah, just drove it really well and hit some decent iron shots.”

As for his gruelling run of golf, he said, laughing: “Aye, I’m getting too old for that. But, listen, I would have bitten your hand off for that amount of golf last year. Just happy to be playing, enjoying it and playing well. So all good.”