'He's a diamond and deserves it' - Scottish golfer ends 19-year wait for victory

The Cockburnspath man landed his maiden win on the over-50s’ circuit after producing a brilliant last round in the Vattanac Legends Championship in Cambodia.

After opening with scores of 70 and 68 at the Sir Nick Faldo-designed Vattanac Golf Resort, Drysdale trailed Englishman Philip Archer by two shots heading into the closing circuit.

On a packed leaderboard, it needed something special for the Scot to get the job done and he delivered it with a bogey-free 66 that contained an eagle and four birdies.

Finishing on 12 under par, he won by a shot from English duo Anthony Wall and Peter Baker, with Archer and Andrew Marshall sharing fourth spot on ten under.

The victory was Drysdale’s first in 19 years, having been a two-time winner on the Challenge Tour but playing in 576 DP World Tour events without tasting success. He had a spell on the Asian Tour after losing his card at the end of the 2022 and this was his 14th tournament on the Legends Tour.

“Vattanac Legends Championship winner sounds fantastic,” said Drysdale. “It’s been a long time coming, but it feels amazing. I played great today and I’m delighted to get it done. I felt pretty calm and was just trying to stay focused and hit one good shot after another.”

Worth £72,500, the win saw Drysdale jump 15 spots up to seventh in the Legends Tour Order of Merit, with the top ten securing berths in next year’s US Senior Open.

“I didn't get off to a great start, but then I found my rhythm and hit some big shots into the par-5s on the back nine,” he added. “The one on 13 was huge for me. I hit a great drive and had a good number, so hit 3-hybrid right at it – left me about an eight-footer for eagle which I holed. And the one into 18 is the sort of shot you dream of hitting. Almost made a 3 but delighted with a 4 to finish.”

The second leg of a double-header - the Vattanac Legends Championship Legacy Edition - starts on the West Course on Wednesday but, for now, the spotlight will shine on Drysdale.

“I'm so pleased for David,” said Wall, who ended his long wait for a second DP World Tour win when landing the Aberdeen Asset Management Paul Lawrie Matchplay at Archerfield Links in 2016.

‘Fair play to him, I’m delighted for him’

“He's a diamond and he deserves to win. It’s been so long. I remember the play-off in Qatar (where Drysdalr lost to Spaniard Jorge Campillo) and he was so unlucky. Fair play to him, I’m delighted for him.”

Bob MacIntyre, Calum Hill, Connor Syme and Grant Forrest all won on the DP World Tour this season while David Law (twice) and Daniel Young both landed tartan triumphs on the HotelPlanner Tour.