JAMIE Elson won the inaugural Jordan’s Ayla Golf Championship in a tense play-off last Saturday, holing a four-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole to beat fellow Englishman Luke Joy in an exciting finish to the first professional golf event in the country.
However, Oban’s Robert MacIntyre, playing in his first professional tournament, fired a sizzling nine-under par 64 to set a new course record, eclipsing a 67 shot by Sweden’s Henric Sturehed in the second round to move into a four-way share for third on six-under after an action-packed day. England’s Joe Heraty, who carded a bogeyfree 68, Italy’s Rocco Sanjust (67) and Sturehed (73) joined MacIntyre in the group, four clear of the English duo Zane Scotland and Lee Corfield and Sweden’s Fredrik From. MacIntyre, tied for 15th at the start, produced the round of the tournament to make his professional debut an event to remember. ‘I was far off from the field after a disappointing 78 in the opening round and had nothing to lose.
‘I played more aggressively and that approach paid off,’ said the Glencruitten golfer, who eagled the final hole after hitting his nine-iron approach from 168 yards to within nine yards. I can take a lot of confidence out of the last two bogey-free rounds, a lot of positives,’ said the 21-year-old.